Mystacidium
Mysta-what? With a name bigger than its tiny white flowers, this mini orchid doesn’t look tough. However, looks can be deceiving. Despite its delicate facade, this species survives attached to thorny Acacia trees in the heat of South Africa’s savannas, where few other orchids can live. It can also handle light winter frosts. This toughness helps to make it one of South Africa’s most common orchids.
Each crystal white Mystacidium flower features a long nectar spur, and emits a sweet jasmine scent from dusk into evening. Yellow pollen masses provide the only spot of color in the middle of each bloom. Flowers can last for weeks over spring or summer.
To pronounce Mystacidium, say “mis-tah-SID-ee-um”. To grow Mystacidiums, give them a warm, muggy summer and a cool, dry winter. During summer, I water mine regularly, but in winter, it’s happy with just a daily misting. They enjoy some morning sun, but need shade for most of the day. Like their Vanda and Angraecum relatives, Mystacidiums prefer to grow mounted, not potted. This also serves to keep their thick roots in view, the easier to enjoy their unusual, linear white spot patterns.
Besides growing on Acacias and other succulent trees, these orchids can be weeds in South African citrus farms. As air plants, they don’t harm the trees, but masses of mini Mystacidiums can coat orange tree branches and trunks. Citrus farmers may be the only ones who don’t enjoy the sweet scent of these tough little orchids.
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July 10th, 2012 at 3:03 am
Beautiful pictures
Thanks!
July 10th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Very interestiong article! Love your photos too. You say it’s a mini orchid. How big are the flowers?
July 12th, 2012 at 9:16 am
Hi Liz. I’m glad you enjoyed the blog post. Each flower is about 3/4 inch (2 cm) wide. The nectar spurs can be 2.4 inches (6 cm) long.
July 13th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Beautiful!!! I love those charming miniatures. I never heard of this kind before but then again, I’ve never been to S.Africa either. It sounds like you can get free ones at the orange farms there! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for this species. It sounds like an easy grower. Thanks for the post 🙂
July 13th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Very small! How do those little flowers handle such heat?!
July 17th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog.Thanks Again. Will read on
July 20th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Major thankies for the article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.