Stanhopea lietzei

(Regel) Schlechter 1926

Native to coastal Brazil
(Rio de Janiero, Sao Paolo, Alagoas, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Parana, Santa Catarina, Rio do Sul) and northern Argentina

Edited 10 May 2007
© Nina Rach

Photo by Greg Steenbeeke

This species was initially published in 1891 by Regel under the name Stanhopea graveolens var. lietzei. In 1926, however, Schlechter distinguished it as a valid species.

Flowers are golden yellow with red markings. Intermediate to cool (?) conditions.

Pablo Naumann notes that is is found in northern Argentina, mainly in Salta and Jujuy provinces.

Photo at left by Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Kreations, Australia.

There is a color variant, 'KB', known from a collection in Belgium, in which the flowers are creamy-white and flushed with green. Flasks of this have been distributed through Ian and Pat Walters at Burleigh Park Orchids, Queensland, Australia.

There is one known hybrid: Stanhopea Princess Diana (lietzei x grandiflora). This was registered with the R.H.S. in 1997 by Doug Pulley, California.

AOS award:

Stanhopea lietzii 'Lil' CBR/AOS

Four flowers on one inflorescence; lip with attractive maroon spotting; column bright orange, shoe-like, with large maroon spot on each side of shoe-like receptacle; recognized for rarity. Natural spread of flower 10.0 cm; dorsal sepal 3.0 cm wide, 4.5 cm long; petals 7.0 cm wide, 2.5 cm long; lateral sepals 2.5 cm wide, 4.0 cm long.

Awarded at the Pacific Central Regional Monthly Judging, San Franciso, CA, on 3 May 1988.
Exhibitors: Mr. & Mrs. Henry Severin, Cupertino, CA

Printed References:

Barney Greer (1998) The Astonishing Stanhopeas - The Upside-down Orchids. Color photo on p. 35.

G.F.J. Pabst & F. Dungs (1977) Orchidaceae Brasilienses - Band II. Color drawings on pp. 218-219.

Eduard August von Regel (1891) "Stanhopea graveolens var. lietzei," in: Gartenflora 40: 201, pl. 1345.

Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechter (1926) "Stanhopea lietzei," in: Archivos de Botanica do Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo [Arch. Bot. Sao Paulo], 1: 264.

Web References:

International Plant Names Index [IPNI], www.ipni.org

Photo from Bergstrom Orchids

Image from the Orchideengalerie of Wolfgang W.

Orchid species from the Brazilian state of Alagoas

Orchid species from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco

Orchid species from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais - blooms in January.

Comments? Questions? Send e-mail: stanhopea@autrevie.com