Aganisia cyanea

Object Details

Description
It is well known in the orchid world that there is one color which an orchid can never be – blue. And yet, Aganisia cyanea seems to be an exception to the rule. Coveted by collectors searching for a blue orchid, this flower’s appearance has been endlessly described. Some say this orchid is blue, others that it is purple on the outside but blue on the inside, that it needs to be grown in low light to be more blue, that it is blue only when it first opens but then quickly develops some pink, or that it has some pink which is not noticeable to the eye but shows up so strongly in photos that it changes the flowers’ color. Whatever the case, there is no denying that it has a small cult following. This orchid is also interesting in its growth habit. Since it grows in areas with a monsoon season, people have frequently reported seeing this orchid growing in its native habitat almost completely underwater, hanging onto a tree with just its flowers and perhaps a leaf above water. Add the fact that Aganisia cyanea has a lovely scent, and it really is quite a fascinating orchid.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
March to May, July, October; peaks in July
Pollination Syndrome
Likely bee
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Range
E Colombia to S Venezuela and E Bolivia
Habitat
Low-lying, seasonally flooded forests; 330-1640ft (100-500m)
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Accession Number
2020-0072A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Common Name
Blue Orchid
Blue Water Orchid
The Dark Blue Acacallis
The Dark Blue Aganisia
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Aganisia
Species
cyanea
Life Form
Epiphytic
Bloom Characteristics
Erect to arching inflorescence is 10-15" (25-38 cm) long with up to 10 flowers that can have a bluish cast. Flowers last 1-3 months and are 2.5" (6.5 cm) across.
Fragrance
Fragrant
Plant Size
10-18" x 5-8" (25-46 x 13-20 cm), excluding inflorescence
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7142d1989-e8d0-47ac-9615-51218d680cb4
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2020-0072A
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Back to Top