One of the real treasures in Cool Americas at this time of year is Pleurothallis truncata and Amailia and Ed look really pleased with their specimen plants dripping with chains of remarkable little globular flowers on the top of each leaf.

As Joe’s close up shows that this leaf has produced three flower spikes (the most we have seen is four) and for the next eight weeks there will be a spectacular show in Cool Americas.

The species is endemic to Ecuador where it grows from 1700m-3000m altutide in cool wet forest. We find the species thrives mounted, in pots and in baskets but if allowed to become too dry produced lots of little plants on the leaves (keikis) rather than flowers.

The species has the delightful habit of flowering when really small (under 10cm high) but over time becomes quite large and the specimen plants shown here are 40cm across.