Name: Epidendrum avicula Lindl.

Synonym: Lanium avicula (Lindl.) Benth.

Etymology: The genus name Epidendrum comes from the Greek and literally means "on a tree"; it refers to the epiphytic lifestyle of many species in this genus.

Origin/Distribution: The species occurs in the western Amazon region from Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia and Brazil.

Location/Habitat: This small epiphytic orchid inhabits humid tropical and montane forests at altitudes of approximately 500–1,800 m. In its natural habitat, it grows in shaded to semi-shaded conditions with high humidity and regular moisture. In cultivation, we recommend temperate to warm conditions of approximately 16–26 °C, gentle air movement, and bright, diffused light.

Description and Notes: Epidendrum avicula is a compact, creeping miniature orchid with short shoots surrounded by overlapping leaf sheaths and small, oblong-elliptic leaves. The short inflorescences bear numerous tiny, delicately constructed flowers. Cultivation on a mount with some sphagnum or in a very small pot with fine, airy, and slightly moisture-retentive substrate is suitable. The plant should be kept consistently slightly moist without becoming waterlogged; after flowering, it can be grown in slightly brighter and drier conditions.