Name: Epidendrum parkinsonianum Hook.
Synonyms: Coilostylis parkinsoniana (Hook.) Withner & P.A.Harding
Etymology: parkinsonianum = named in honor of John Parkinson, the then-British Consul General in Mexico and a passionate plant collector.

First description: 1838 by the British botanist William Jackson Hooker in Curtis's Botanical Magazine (t. 3778).
Origin / Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Location / Habitat: Growing epiphytically or lithophytically in humid oak and pine forests as well as mountain cloud forests at altitudes of approx. 1,000 to 2,200 meters. It thrives in bright, well-ventilated locations in a cool-to-intermediate microclimate.
Description & Notes: Epidendrum parkinsonianum is a spectacular, pendulous orchid with long, drooping, fleshy, channeled, and succulent leaves that can grow over a meter long. The branched shoots often hang in impressive clusters from tree trunks or rocks. The usually solitary or paired, very large flowers (up to 12 cm in diameter) are star-shaped with narrow, yellowish-green to cream-colored sepals and petals. The large, strikingly three-lobed lip is pure white with a deep yellow throat. The flowers emit an intense, sweet fragrance, especially at night.

In cultivation, due to its strongly pendulous habit, this species absolutely requires mounting on large pieces of cork or bark. It prefers a very bright location with filtered sun and cool to intermediate temperatures. During active growth, it requires generous watering with very high humidity; however, the root system must be able to dry out quickly afterward. In winter, slightly reduced watering in a cooler location ensures flowering induction.

In-vitro culture: You will receive one flask with 4 young plants. As a rule, the plants are already large enough for deflasking. After opening, carefully remove the nutrient medium completely from the roots with lukewarm water and place the young plants in fine, airy bark with some moisture-retaining material. In the first few weeks, we recommend high humidity, intermediate conditions, and bright but protected light with good air movement. Keep evenly slightly moist and, only after secure establishment, gradually accustom them to the airier and seasonally somewhat drier culture of mature Epidendrum parkinsonianum.