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This is regarded by Fowlie to be a highly successful group distributed from Guatemala in the north, and south to Bolivia. It is a distinct group, with the species of Lycaste macrophylla forming a very large complex which is currently at the height of its dispersal and differentiation. This Section is considered by Fowlie to be the youngest member of the groups of species, occurring at elevations lower than the others, in regions where temperatures and humidity, for, example, are more uniform, leading to less specialisation from habitat pressure.
The above discussion is relevant, as Fowlie notes that the complex known as 'macrophylla' consists of 7, and possibly 9, presently known sub-specific forms with two centres of radiation - one the Costa Rica - Panama Pacific slopes and the other the Peruvian Atlantic watershed. Additionally distinct species of the Macrophylla Section now recognised are Lycaste skinneri, dowiana, xytriophora, powellii, . leucantha and neglecta. 4.a Lycaste macrophylla (Poeppig & Endlicher) Lindley. This species was first described in 1836 as a Maxillaria, being transferred to Lycaste in 1843. Following that description Fowlie states the literature is filled with various other synonyms, as each of the different sub-species were discovered, introduced into cultivation, and flowered.
The sub-species as identified by Fowlie are discussed below: 4.a.i. Lycasste macrophylla subs. deboisiana
was first described by Coginaux in 1897 from This species is endemic to the tropical evergreen forest and lower temperate forests of the Atlantic slopes of Costa Rica, at some 600-1500 metres altitude. It grows on wetter areas as an epiphyte, on trees or on the faces of rocky cliffs, its roots buried in the accumulations of decaying leaves which stay moist all year. In dryer locations it is always close to permanent stream beds of in very shady locations, in a very rich compost where there is free circulation of air. It flowers in our July to October, a period in its natural habitat which is the dryest and brightest, after receiving a distinct resting period. Horich (Clarence K. Horich 1977 "The Costa, Rican Lycaste Species" Orchid Digest July /August 1977) also mentions this species lives in habitats receiving copious rainfall (2000 mm) over a 10 month period. This species forms enormous pseudobulbs in heavy clusters half a metre in diameter, accordingly under cultivation it needs large containers with excellent drainage, and high humidity. 4.a.ii Lycaste macrophylla subs. macrophylla has flowers in which the sepals are very faintly zoned red or clear, together with petals which are creamy-white with zones of deep carmine over the distal third suffused so deeply as to obscure the ground colour. The sepals are a uniform deep red brown. This comes from Peru. 4.1.iii Lyaste macrophylla subs. measuresiana comes from the headwaters of the Amazon in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. This is probably the largest vegetatively of the various races. The flower peduncles are erect, bearing flowers with sepals of light apple green variously suffused with white, petals spotted with deep rose, the labellum zoned also with deep rose dots and spots. 4.a.iv Lycaste macrophylla subs. panamensis is fairly common in Panama, and extends along the Atlantic watershed to Colombia. The flowers reveal dull greenish sepals suffused deep brown with white or cream petals which are unspotted. The lip is cream. A beautiful 'alba' species also exists, having pure white petals and lip 4.a v Lycaste macrophylla subs. puntarenasensis was found in 1962 in Costa Rica. This sub-species is distinct in that the leaves are deciduous; most of the other plants in this grouping retain their leaves until the next pair of leaves are formed on the new growth. A native of tropical evergreen forest, it receives torrential rain from our November to June. For the balance of the year it is very dry. This is a large flowered member, flowering from the base of the most recently matured pseudobulb in the late autumn. It has large 120 mm tall pseudobulbs. Its flowers show light green sepalswhich are suffused light red brown. The petals are white with a deep cinnabar lip
4.a.vi Lycaste macrophvlla subs. xanthocheila
is a spectacular subspecies, with a smaller 4.a.vii Lycaste macrophylla subs. orinocensis is found in the Orinoco River drainage in Colombia and Venezuela, and is a smaller plant producing flowers with brownish suffused sepals and cream petals and labellum. 4.a.viii Fowlie notes Lycaste macrophylla subs. filominoi is probably a lowland form of the showier subs. measuresiana; and that Lycaste macrophylla subs, plana may actually be referable to subs, puntarenasensis. Oakeley reports Lycaste macrophylla is a handsome free-flowering species showing a wide range of flower colour and size, as indicated by Fowlie's subspecies enumerated above. This species has been successfully used in hybridising, amongst which crosses are x deppei = Libra; x Libra = Jason; x skinneri = Balliae. |
