Pleurothallid Perfumes

Marguerite Webb discusses small-growing orchids prized for their fragrant flowers

The orchid family is famous for its exotically scented flowers. Some genera have a greater number of scented members than others, but it is said that almost 75 percent of all orchid species have a scent. Though this percentage is not as high in the Pleurothallid subtribe, they make considerable contribution to the ranks of strong fragrant orchids. They may not compete with the brash, highly scented cattleya group, but just as the flowers of a pleurothallis or masdevallia possess a delicate beauty, their scent also may be not easy to notice. Scents may be floral and sweet, spicy, fruity or disgusting. The variety is very good of the fun.

Pleurothallis pterophora has been named the lily of the valley orchid as its many spikes of white bell-like flowers and sweet scent are reminiscent of that plant. The strong floral bouquet of this pretty pleurothallis is easily noticed when the plant is in full flower. Because of its very small size and easy cultivation, P. pterophora is a good selection for windowsill or under lights. It grows fast to specimen size and will award the grower with hundreds of sweetly scented sparkling white flowers. Pleurothallis racemiflora (syn. quadrifida) is also famous by its very pleasant aroma. This Central American species with hard and stiff, 8-inch, paddle-shaped leaves will bloom twice a year with sprays of translucent yellow flowers. The scent is sweet and mild.

The aroma of Pleurothallis sclerophylla is similar to freshly mown hay. Clouds of white spidery flowers form a great display on this 8-inch, narrow-leaved plant. Pleurothallis wagneri, an extremely small maroon-flowered species, has an unusual licorice fragrance.

The genus Trichosalpinx, whose plants are portrayed by stems with lepanthiform protective coverings, often have white or yellow flowers with a pleasing fragrance. Trichosalpinx robledorum from Ecuador is especially scented. The white starry flowers send out a pleasing citron aroma, which is linked, as are all orchid scents, to the attraction of a specific pollinator.

Many masdevallias are scented, and a few have a strong scent that will make the surroundings full with perfume. The most excellent is Masdevallia glandulosa, a Peruvian species with abandant pale purple color bell-like flowers. The extremely good scent is spicy sweet and will turn the head of anyone nearby. The inside of the flower is covered with purple small drop of liquid or glands. A hybrid combining Masd. glandulosa with Masdevallia strobelii, a fresh-scented species, has created another very attractive fragrant masdevallia. Masdevallia Confetti, with its ambrosial yellow, white and pale purple color flowers, is an excellent fragrant free-flowering miniature. All three of these masdevallias grow well in intermediate conditions and do not mind the summer heat, bearing day temperatures up to 85º F.

Masdevallia estradae, Masdevallia ludibunda and Masdevallia cyclotega are taxonomically classified in the subsection Caudatae and they possess almost the same sweet scent. Of the three, Masd. estradae is the most easily obtained. Originating in Colombia, Masd. estradae and Masd. ludibunda are small plants that become very successful in intermediate to cool conditions. Their pale purple color and white flowers are most intensely scented as the sun is shining. Masdevallia cyclotega is a high-elevation Peruvian species with tall-stemmed pink flowers. Cool-house conditions (winter minimum of 52º F and summer maximum of 78º F) are extremely necessary for this masdevallia. Many of the white-flowered masdevallias are very pleasantly fragrant. Powdery and very attractive, Masdevallia datura blooms with enormous white trumpets reminiscent of the datura plant. A number of attractive hybrids have been produced with this Bolivian cool grower. Sometimes, the offspring get the amazing aroma of Masd. datura. The fairly white-and-yellow flowers of Masdevallia mejiana send out a sweet fragrance that has peppery undertones. Give ample temperatures to this masdevallia and it will bloom very frequent during the winter months. The flowers will continue for several weeks. Masdevallia agaster shows its white and yellow blossoms around the base of the plant. Each bloom is become full with sparkling hairs that produce a clean, fresh aroma.

A Central American intermediate grower, Masdevallia nicaraguae has waxy, pink-flushed, white flowers which have a smell like soap. Masdevallia garciae, from Venezuela, has similarly fragrant copper-colored flowers which are striped with dark red. Both of these masdevallias are abundant bloomers and are heat-tolerant.

Masdevallia corniculata may attract fruit flies with the fully grown fruit aroma of the flowers. The 10-inch-tall plant produces waxy orange blossoms on racemes to halfway up the hard and stiff leaf. The outside of the flower is shiny and smooth, while the inner part has a granular texture, another sign that the species has evolved to attract extremely small flies. Masdevallia angulata has a fruity bouquet too. The large juicy flowers are held on short horizontal stems surounding the 8-inch-tall plant with blooms completely. These stately dark pink flowers send out the distinctive smell of grape soda.

Although the aromas of Masd. corniculata and Masd. angulata are pleasing, some fly-pollinated species have a smell that is far from pleasant. Species in the subsection Coriaceae are infamously disgusting. Flowers of Masdevallia colossus, Masdevallia velifera, Masdevallia civilis, Masdevallia cacodes and Masdevallia foetens let very strong scents flow out that have been likened to those of strong cheese, dirty socks, putrid food and a variety of farmyard odors. Some have even caused an unsuspecting orchidist to do a shoe check when near one of those smelly masdevallias. Flowers in this odorous group tend to have soft and gentle colors, often with warts, bumps or hairs near the center of the flower to attract the pollinator in appearance.

Masdevallia caesia is one of the fairliest members of the Coriaceae subsection with its 12-inch, blue-green hanging leaves. The large yellow flowers have a dark red lip and their spicy aroma is only obvious at certain times. The hanging habit necessitates growing the plant in a hanging basket or fixing it on a piece of tree fern or a cork slab (with a pad of sphagnum moss or osmunda at the roots) with the elegant leaves making a lovely arrangement. Grow this plant in intermediate to cool temperatures and make lots of humidity.

The variety within the Pleurothallid subtribe is extremely interesting and it is reflected in the variety of fragrances these plants have. Of all their appealing qualities their aroma is likely the least familiar, and likely the most astonishing. Coming across and enjoying the many pleurothallid perfumes is just another extremely interesting aspect to growing these orchids.