Zygopetalum and rup. Laelia in Rio de Janeiro

[JungleJo]

Hi all,

I very much like your pictures and descriptions of orchids in the wild and I thought it is my time to do it now. Just thought I would return the favour for once!

Sorry for the poor pictures, I made them with a GoPro which is obviously better suited for video. Next time I will bring a proper camera to make better pictures

I was walking in the mountains North of the city of Rio de Janeiro with a few friends last week. The place is located about 2h away by van from the city's beaches. There are plenty of mountains to choose from. We started walking at an elevation of 1000m and finished at about 1800m, top of the mountain. The higher we went, the more Zygopetalum I could see. The last 100m (1700-1800m altitude) were basically littered with the plant. They had spread like grass. I also found some rupicolous Laelias (or are they called Cattleyas nowadays?) on the very top of the mountain, just like one would imagine. Lots and lots of bromelias along the way as well. Anyway, I hope you like the photos. I included two of the surrounding landscape to give a better understanding of the site and where they grow.

I hope I have identified the correct orchid families, if not, please correct me.

By the way, there are supposed to be a lot (hundreds) of different orchids in the city itself, located on its mountains. Sugar loaf mountain, Christ Redeemer, etcetera, etcetera. Future project

[Maryanne]

Abrigado!
So nice to see them in their native habitat. What a beautiful scene in each photo : -)
Maryanne

[plantzzzzz]

I'm surprised the Zygopetalums are growing in almost full sun!

[ArronOB]

Wow. You are lucky to have such a diversity of species growing so close.

Would that be the Organpipe mtns ? I previously saw that name a lot when reading about cattleyas, but can’t find it on Google now.

---------- Post added at 10:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ----------

Any idea what the species is in photo no 4 ?

[JungleJo]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

Wow. You are lucky to have such a diversity of species growing so close.

Would that be the Organpipe mtns ? I previously saw that name a lot when reading about cattleyas, but can’t find it on Google now.

---------- Post added at 10:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ----------

Any idea what the species is in photo no 4 ?

It is close to the organpipe mountains. We passed them on the way to this place, located between Teresopolis and Nova Friburgo. The place itself is called Bom Sucesso. A place where they grow plenty of vegetables, we called it broccoliland

My friends are mountaineers who like to climb mountain walls, but they have little interest in orchids. I am the opposite, little interest in climbing mountain walls. They want me to join them, actually to go to the organpipe mountains. I need to think well about that. Only if there are any cool orchids. I am sure they will promise me plenty just to join in again. This time I was promised an “easy” mountain, it turned out it was average plus. I was mightily tired that day.

Brazil and Rio is not my native habitat, I am originally from Sweden, but I do like the tropics. Always did!

I have no idea of the species, sorry. Still learning

[JungleJo]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

Wow. You are lucky to have such a diversity of species growing so close.

Would that be the Organpipe mtns ? I previously saw that name a lot when reading about cattleyas, but can’t find it on Google now.

---------- Post added at 10:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ----------

Any idea what the species is in photo no 4 ?

ArronOB, I checked it up and it is actually part of the organpipe mountains area! I even found a book about orchid species over there. I need to get a copy.

Serra dos Orgaos: Sua Historia e suas Orquideas | NHBS Academic & Professional Books

It is actually difficult to find a new copy over here in Brazil so I might end up getting one in Europe. After all, I am going to visit my continent of origin soon!