Lycaste aromatica facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lycaste aromatica
Lycaste aromatica
Scientific classification
Genus:	Lycaste
Species:	aromatica

The Lycaste aromatica, also known as the sweet scented lycaste, is a beautiful type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Lycaste group within the large Orchidaceae family, which includes all orchids. This special orchid is known for its lovely smell.

What it Looks Like

The Lycaste aromatica has parts called pseudobulbs, which are like swollen stems that store water and nutrients. These pseudobulbs are oval-shaped. It also has long, thin leaves that are shaped like a spear (lanceolate) and fall off each year.

Its flowers grow on tall stems, about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. The flowers are a bright yellow-orange color and smell wonderful, like a sweet perfume. Each flower can be about 7 centimeters (almost 3 inches) wide. You can usually see this orchid bloom from late spring through the summer months.

This orchid is a special kind of plant called an epiphyte. This means it grows on other plants, like mossy tree branches, but it doesn't harm them. It just uses them for support.

Where it Lives

This sweet-smelling orchid is originally from Central America. You can find it growing in several countries there, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Its Home Environment

Lycaste aromatica likes to grow in places that are damp and cool to warm. It often lives on branches covered in moss, on wet limestone cliffs, or in tropical forests where some trees lose their leaves (semi-deciduous forests). It also likes warm oak forests near streams.

This orchid prefers bright, but not direct, sunlight. It grows at different heights, from about 500 meters (1,640 feet) up to 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level.

Gallery

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  An old drawing of "Lycaste aromatica" from a book published in 1836.

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  A close-up picture of the "Lycaste aromatica" orchid.

See also

In Spanish: Lycaste aromatica para niños