Lycaste skinneri

Lycaste skinneri is a plant belonging to the orchid genus Lycaste and from moderate altitudes of Central America.

Distribution

Plants are found in wet montane pine forest in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador at 1200 to 1800 meters in elevation.

Description

Lycaste skinneri has pink flowers which can grow about 15 cm (6 in) wide, the flower stem for a single flower being up to 30 cm (12 in) tall. They flower mostly in late autumn or winter. The leaves are deciduous and grow to 75 cm (30 in) long. The plant has pseudobulbs up to 10 cm (4 in) long. Flowers are fragrant.

Culture

Grow in diffused bright light and keep in intermediate temperatures. Keep humidity from 40 to 70%. Water regularly during growing season. The potting media should be a little moist in between waterings. To prevent rot, avoid water from touching leaves. Reduce watering during the winter. Pot plants in 75% fine bark and 25% perlite or in full sphagnum moss.

Naming

Common Name:White Nun Orchid or in Guatemala Monja Blanca - Skinner's Lycaste. Lycaste virginalis var. Alba is Guatemala's National Flower.

Synonyms

1. Lycaste alba Cockerell 1919
2. Lycaste jamesiana hort. 1889
3. Lycaste schoenbrunnensis Umlauft 1893
4. Lycaste skinneri f. virginalis (Scheidw.) Christenson 1996
5. Lycaste skinneri var. alba Dombrain 1872
6. Lycaste virginalis [Scheidw.]Lindley 1888
7. Maxillaria skinneri Lindl. 1840
8. Maxillaria skinneri Bateman ex Lindley 1842
9. Maxillaria virginalis Scheidw. 1842

Variants

Image	Name	Description
	Lycaste skinneri var. alba	Flower sephal, petals, and lip is white. Lycaste skinneri var. alba is the national flower of Guatemala where it is commonly known as 'Monja Blanca' or white nun orchid