Name: Trichosalpinx orbicularis (Lindl.) Luer

Synonyms: Specklinia orbicularis, Pleurothallis orbicularis, Pleurothallis biflora, Trichosalpinx lancifera, Trichosalpinx oxychilos.

Etymology: orbicularis means “circular” and refers to the shape of the leaves.

First described: John Lindley described the species in 1839 as Specklinia orbicularis; in 1983, Carlyle A. Luer placed it in Trichosalpinx.

Origin / Habitat: From Central America through Colombia and Ecuador to Bolivia and Venezuela. It grows epiphytically in humid montane cloud forests at elevations of about 180–1,500 m, usually in filtered light and high humidity.

Description & Notes: A miniature orchid with sturdy, upright stems, ciliate sheaths, and single, leathery, round-elliptic leaves. The small, successive flowers are about 2.5 mm across and grow below the leaf. In our collection, it grows in bright to partially shaded conditions, with high humidity and good air circulation. We cultivate it in warm to intermediate conditions, at about 16–28 °C.