Acianthera bragae

Acianthera bragae is a remarkable miniature orchid with deep red flowers evolved to attract pollinating ants. 

Acianthera is native to the Mata Atlantica mountain rainforests of South Eastern Brazil, a habitat that we have had the pleasure of exploring while working alongside the Rio Atlantic Forest Trust. Plants are found in cloud forests in dwarf forests where plants receive relatively good light.

We grow the species mounted on cork bark where plants are relatively slow growing but over time completely cover the mount. Plants are very at home in our cloud forest greenhouse min 12C and we also grow plants successfully in our cooler terrarium indoors.

Flowers are produced in opposite pairs in late spring.

We previously grew this species as Pleurothallis sarracenia but we are very comfortable with its re-asignment to Acianthera.