Catasetum atratum

[Tricho]

Catasetum atratum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 24(Misc.): 61 (1838)

This one is from Brazil, São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul States.

It is a epifitic plant. The appearance and forms of the plant are typical of this genus.

It is easy, just regular Catasetum culture.

One curiosity, this is one of the species that can easily give male and female flowers in the same inflorescence. Never did it here, sadly... perhaps it needs to be bigger.

The photos should have been taken some days ago, the flowers were already dying.

[Toddybear]

Bizarro-world! Unusual but attractive.

[Tindomul]

Wow, very strange. So the plants from this genus are dioecious?

[cb977]

I love this group of 'chids!

[Tricho]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

So the plants from this genus are dioecious?

I don't believe so, because each plant has the capacity to have male flowers, female flowers and/or hermaphroditic flowers. But the expression of this capacity depends on the signal that the plant receives from the environment and the size of the plant.

So they are monoecious, in my opinion.

Although, in general, each year a plant decides to be male or female.

[Tricho]

Originally Posted by Toddybear

Bizarro-world! Unusual but attractive.

Todd, that is why I love them so much, they are truly exotic, even among orchids.

[nancy]

Very attractive flower! Can you describe the fragrance?
The male catasetum flowers must be very alluring to insects, as I find that when the buds open outside, I can barely have time to take a photo before all the pollinia have been tripped by some sex-crazed bee. Once that happens, the flowers begin to fade pretty quickly. After getting hit a few times with the pollinia, I am also impressed with the velocity - a pretty good 'sting.'
Regards - Nancy

[Tricho]

Hi Nancy

Originally Posted by nancy

Can you describe the fragrance?

Sorry, very bad at it! Something like citrus with some ill defined spices, but very pleasant.

Originally Posted by nancy

The male catasetum flowers must be very alluring to insects...

Oh, i didn't know you had euglossine bees over there! yes, you are right, it is impressive to see the pollinia flying like that

Actually, I usually show that to people around here, it is always funny when people get it sticked to the nose.

For those that want to know more:

Euglossine bees