Miltonia Lindl.

Pansy Orchid

After Earl Fitzwilliam Milton (1786−1857), an eminent English patron of horticulture and keen orchid grower.

Epiphytic or epilithic herbs, sympodial, with creeping rhizomes. Stems thickened into compressed pseudobulbs, closely spaced, green. Leaves apical, 2, thin to somewhat leathery, stalked. Inflorescences basal racemes, or flowers solitary, erect or arching. Flowers resupinate, 1-many, large, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, or laterals fused at base. Petals similar to sepals but sometimes wider, free. Labellum entire, broad, hinged, margins sometimes wavy. Column short, hollow in front, tip with 2 ear-like lobes. Pollinia 2, ovoid, waxy.

All but 4 species formerly in Miltonia have been transferred to other genera (see also Miltoniopsis).

4 species from Brazil.

Column hollow in front and lobed at tip.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

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kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Lilianae
order      Asparagales
family       Orchidaceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Miltonia regnelli Rchb.f.
species         Miltonia spectabilis Lindl.