This orchid has longer (8 to 18 inches), narrower leaves then the more commonly grown Brassavola nodosa.

Carl Von Linné first described it in 1763 as Epidendrum cucullatum. When another orchid fancier introduced the genus Brassavola in 1813, he made cucullata the type for the species. Plants occur from Mexico to Northern South America and into the West Indies.

The orchid’s decorative, spidery, nocturnally fragrant flowers bloom from summer into winter. Along with its robust growth, this has made Brassavola cucullata popular with breeders. The sepals and petals are pale yellow (“straw”) to white on the inner surface, attractively blushed with reddish brown on the outside, or reverses.

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