Anacheilium radiatum

[cabnc]

Anacheilium radiatum, the "cockleshell orchid", grows in Central America. It grows in varied type forests of tropial evergreen, mixed pine and oak. This warm to cool growing species does well mounted, or in a wire basket with wood chips.
This plant was purchased in 02/2010 as a 4 p-bulbs division. It is planted in a 3" square pot in fine fir bark. It has 3 closely spaced flowers from the last p-bulb and at the same time has a 6 inch lead growing.
It is a very fragrant species that blooms in the fall, winter and spring on an apical, short to 4" [10 cm] inflorescence. It can have 4 to 12 fragrant [sometimes not so good], heavy textured, cockleshell flowers and is easy to grow.
I'm hopeful as the plant matures the inflorescence will be taller and the flowers will be spread out a little as I have seen in other plants.

Charlie

08/2010: flower spike, 4 buds, new growth

[RosieC]

Really nice.

As I read your text I was thinking about the fact that here the Encyclia cochleata is known as the cockershell orchid. Then when I saw your pic I can see so many similarities between the look of the flower and Encyclia cochleata.

This is a really cool one that I've not seem before.

[cabnc]

Rosie,

It is my general understanding that Anacheilium radiatum was classified as an Encyclia for a long time. So it is a close look alike to Encyclia cochleata and both share the "cockleshell orchid" name.

Charlie