Pleurothallis palliolata

A real autumn treat is the ‘gaping mouths’ of  Pleurothallis palliolata flowers. The flowers are produced successively from the base of the heart shaped leaves and they flower from late October through to January every year.

Pleurothallis palliolata is native to cool mountain forests in Costa Rica and Panama. We have seen closely related species growing in wet evergreen forest at 1400m on the Poas volcano in deep shade. We grow the species successfully both mounted and in pots and it has proved robust and straight forward to grow. 

Our clone has an interesting history as it arrived as a seedling on another plant purchased in the 1990's and it was fascinating watching its heart shaped leaves delivered and fantastic as the large colourful flowers opened for the first time. It is the same now every Autumn.