MAXILLARIA

Maxillaria

Maxillaria picta

Maxillaria picta is one of the better known Brazilian species of the genus. It has a wide distribution range on the coastal mountains, where plants are found usually above 2000 ft. The main distribution is on the Serra do Mar complex (which is the most coastal range in south/eastern Brazil), that goes from Rio Grande to Sul to Espírito Santo States, and includes well-known mountains like the Organ Mountains in Rio de Janeiro. Plants are rather compact, with two leaves on each pseudobulb, and produce several flowers at once on each growth. These are produced on fairly short (about 2"-3" in general) individual inflorescences. and they are usually about 1 1/2" and don't open well. Color is yellowish going to whitish to the tips of the segments and with brownish-red marking on the exterior of the sepals and petals. Flowers are extremely fragrant.