Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: The Tailed Brassia

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae

Distribution: S Florida, Mexico to Trop America

Habitat: Tropical rainforests; 0-3940ft (0-1200m)

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom characteristics: Pendant inflorescence is 8-10" (15-25 cm) long with 12 green and brown, long-lasting flowers. Flowers are 1.5" wide by 6" long (3.75 x 15 cm).

Fragrance: Fragrant

Pollination syndrome: Wasp (female members of Pepsis, Campsomeris); food deception

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): Year round; peaks from April to September

Medicinal/pharmaceutical: In the West Indies, a tincture was made from this plant to treat epilepsy, nervous disorders, and for use as an antispasmodic.

Description: This medium sized orchid is considered vulnerable across its range, but endangered in Florida, where it has not been seen since 1990. The flower of this orchid imitates the legs of a particular spider which is the prey of a spider-hunter wasp. In the process of the wasp trying to capture its “prey” through repeated stings to the flower’s lip, the orchid’s pollinarium stick to the wasp’s head, and are transferred to the next B. caudata it visits.

Comments: Brassia caudata