Name: Sobralia fimbriata

Etymology: The genus name Sobralia honors the Spanish botanist Francisco Martínez Sobral. The Latin specific epithet fimbriata means "fringed" and refers to the conspicuously fringed or finely divided margins of the labellum.

Origin/Distribution: Tropical America.

Location/Habitat: The species grows terrestrially or occasionally lithophytically in moist, bright locations in montane forests. We recommend bright, filtered light, moderate to high humidity, and good air circulation. Tempered conditions of approximately 15–26 °C during the day and 10–18 °C at night are favorable. During active growth, the substrate should be evenly moist but well-drained.

Description and Notes: Sobralia fimbriata develops upright, reed-like shoots with distichously arranged leaves. The large, conspicuous flowers appear in the upper part of the shoots and possess a characteristically fringed lip. As with many Sobralia species, individual flowers can be relatively short-lived, but vigorous plants produce additional buds successively. We cultivate the species in a humus-rich, yet loose and well-drained substrate and provide it with water and nutrients regularly during growth.