Orchid News # 37 - Brazilian Orchids

Genus established by Lindley in l828 and published in the Botanical Register 14 sub t. 1147.

Etymology: Greek Sophro- chaste, modest and small.

The genus was described having as the type species Sophronitis cernua Lindl. which has flowers that may be considered modest compared with those of others, justifying the name used.
This genus has nine species and has as main characteristics the fact that the plants are small, the pseudobulbs grouped, sessile lip at the base of the column, small wings on the sides of the stigmatic cavity and small column with eight pollinia. The color of the flowers is mostly red and the varieties can be yellow, salmon pink, coral, pink and red and alba is rare (see article in this issue, Professor Doctor Agnaldo Arroyo on chemicals related to the colors of flowers: flavonoids, carotenoids and Chlorophyll).

Species	occurrence in Brazil	Altitude	*Cassio Van den Berg proposition ()**
S. acuensis Fowl.	RJ	1800/2100m	Cattleya acuensis (Fowlie) Van den Berg]
S. alagoensis Castro Neto & Chiron	AL	150/840m	Cattleya alagoensis (V. P. Cristo & Chiron) Van den Berg
S. bicolor Miranda	ES		Cattleya dichroma Van den Berg
S. brevipedunculata (Cogn.) Fowl.	ES, MG, RJ	1.500/2000m	Cattleya brevipedunculata (Cogn.) Van den Berg
S. cernua Lindl.	AL, BA, ES, GO, MG, PE, PR, RJ, RS, SC, SP	nível do mar até 700m	Cattleya cernua (Lindl.) Van den Berg
S. coccinea (Lindl. ) Rchb. f.	MG, RJ, SP	650/1500m	Cattleya coccinea Lindl.
S. mantiqueirae Fowl	BA, MG, PR, RJ, RS, SC, SP	1200/1900m	Cattleya mantiqueirae (Fowlie) Van den Berg
S. pygmaea (Pabst) Whitner	ES, RJ		Cattleya pygmaea (Pabst) Van den Berg
S. wittigiana Barb. Rodr.	ES, MG	700/2000m	Cattleya wittigiana (Barb. Rodr. ) Van den Berg

(*) (*) Cassio Van Den Berg, in Neodivesity 3:3-12. 2008. 3-12 "New combinations in the genus Cattleya Lindl. (Orchidaceae)" presents new combinations and names on Cattleya to shelter species included in Laelia and Sophronitis genera.

SPECIES

Sophronitis acuensis Fowl.
Ochid Digest 39 (3):147-151- 1975

Etymology: Mention the location of the habitat.
Small plant with about 5cm high. It has pseudobulbs ranging from oval to rounded. Flowering in November and December (late spring, early summer). The author found this species as epiphyte on Pico Açu (hence the origin of its name), near the highest point of the Organ Mountains, in a very restricted area but it was also found in another area too limited growing on rocks. The variety xanthocheila Hort. has the lip completely yellow with red stripes (Fowlie, Orchid Digest Jan-Feb-Mar.1987). In cultivation it requires maximum light without direct sun that can burn their leaves.

Sophronitis alagoensis Castro Neto & Chiron
Richardiana III(2) - avril 2003: 101.105

Etymology: From Alagoas, the Brazilian state where it comes from.
Plant found in the state of Alagoas, vegetating at 150m altitude. It differs from Sophronitis cernua by its size twice smaller and the flowers are about 50% smaller. The leaves are more rounded. The lip is lobed and slightly more elongated than in other species. The yellow part of the lip is more spread, the callus and the column are taller. Spring (September / November).

photo by Alvaro Pessôa

Sophronitis bicolor Miranda
Die Orchidee 42(5):277-230. 1991

Etymology: From Latin bi-color with two colors, refer to the contrast of the colorful yellow lip with red-orange of the other segments.
Robust plant, habitat, its leaves can reach up to 15cm long.
Flowers ranging from orange to red-intense, clearer externally with lip ranging from yellow to orange with red striations. Previously this species was known as Sophronitis coccinea from the state of Espírito Santo.
(drawing and information from the article by Francisco Miranda, published inthe magazine Orchids, Volume 6 No. 2, 1992, with kind permission). Blooming season: autumn / winter (April / June).

Sophronitis brevipedunculata (Cogn.) Fowlie

Etymology: Brevi (short) reference to the very short stalk (peduncle).
It grows in Vellozia or directly on the rocks covered by lichen and small vegetation.
Described as Sophronitis wittigiana var. brevipedunculata Cogn. and published in Flora Brasiliensis, Vol III, Part V page 318. However, the differences he noticed making him to write "a distinct species?".
According to Flowlie (Orchid Digest Jan-Feb-Mar 1987), this species inhabits the upper reaches of the mountains and rocks growing in Vellozia. It has very large flowers and often very good form with very pronounced veins.
The semi-globular pseudobulbs growing in a creeping way forming two rows, alternating left / right and even growing in pots or tree bark it maintains this kind of growth.
The leaves are small and only one for pseudobulb. The flowers emerge at the apex of the pseudobulbs from a very short stalk (peduncle), hence the reason for its name. They ranges from 4 to 7.5cm diameter.
In nature, this species flowers between May and June that is, the autumn and winter when the weather is good, sunny with very cold nights in the altitude at which it occurs. David Miller & Richard Warren (Organ Mountains, its history and orchids) report that the flowering period in Macaé de Cima runs from August to October and occasionally in April and add that the flowers last up to three weeks.
In cultivation, keep preferably in small rough tree trunks or wooden boards. Moderate to intense light, cold climate with reduced watering in winter. Beware of the drainage system.
Synonym:
Sophronitis wittigiana Barb. Rodr. var. brevipedunculata Cogn. = Sophronitis brevipedunculata (Cogn.) Fowlie.

Sophronitis cernua Lindl.

Etymology: feminine latin adjective - cernuus: prostate, creeping (Dicionário Etimológico das Orquídeas do Brasil - Pe. José Gonzáles Raposo)
A plant found on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, was used to describe the genre. It grows on trees or rocks in lowlands near the sea and also a little further inland.
From 2 to 7 flowers emerge from a stem up to 5cm in length. The diameter of the flowers ranges from 2 to almost 3 cm and its color is reddish-orange and there is a "yellow" form. It blooms during the autumn and winter. Guido Pabst, in the key to the species of Guanabara (Rio de Janeiro city), reports that Sophrinitis cernua has ovoid leaves, a 6-side ovary with a thin apex in a short neck and S. pterocarpa has circular or broadly elliptical leaves, distinctly 6-winged ovary with a thin apex in a long neck. He also said that until that moment, he had never seen any plant that could be identified as S. pterocarpa. It seemed to him that accurate studies, specially based on the typical material, will reveal the identity of this species with S. cernua. The vegetative part is so variable that could hardly lie in a characteristic shape of the leaf itself sufficient for separating the species. He also said that the illustration of Kraenzlin as S. pterocarpa nothing more than the actual S. cernua.
Sub-species and varieties (according to Fowlie):
Sophronitis cernua subs. mineira
Sophronitis cernua subs. mineira var. endsfeldzii Hort. (pale yellow - albine)
Sophronitis cernua var cernua (also known as coastal);
Sopronitis cernua var. lowii Hort. ex Decker (lemon yellow flowers);
It blooms in autumn and winter and the flowers can last for three weeks.
This species and S. alagoensis are the only ones that can be cultivated in hot climate. It should be watered copiously with reduction during the cold days. Due to the kind of growth, it can be cultivated in small stubs or in wood slabs.
Synonyms:
Cattleya cernua (Lindl.) Beer
Epidendrum humile Vell.
Sophronia cernua Lindl
Sophronia modesta Lindl.
Cattleya pterocarpa Beer
Sophronitis cernua var. pterocarpa Hort.
Sophronitis hoffmannseggii Rchb. f.
Sophronitis isopetala Hoffmsgg.
Sophronitis modesta Lindl.
Sophronitis nutans Hoffmsgg.
Sophronitis pterocarpa Lindl. & Paxton .
Sophronia pterocarpa (Lind. & Paxton) Kuntze

Sophronitis coccinea (Lindl.) Rchb. f.

Etymology: feminine latin adjective - coccineus: scarlet color, brilliant red color (Dicionário Etimológico das Orquídeas do Brasil - Pe. José Gonzáles Raposo).
Described in 1836, as Cattleya coccinea Lindl. in 1864, it has been transferred to the genus Sophronitis. Its habitat is placed between 600 and 1.500m altitude, in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It grows on trees or on the rocks in strong, with strong luminosity or even exposed to direct sunlight. Plant very demanding concerning the climate that should be cold. It needs a copiously watering during the growth period with reduction during the winter. The flowers that measure from 3 to 7 cm in diameter, are born of a solitary stem that can be up to 7cm long. The base of the lip has a yellow or orange and looms from autumn until early spring.
Ecotypes and varieties Orchid Digest Jan-Feb-Mar 1987).
Sophronitis coccinea ecotype militaris, ecotype coccinea e ecotypeinsolaris.
Sophronitis coccinea var. rossiteriana (Barb. Rodr.) Pabst & Dungs, var. pallens Hort, borboleta Hort.
Synonyms:
Cattleya coccinea Lindl.
Cattleya grandiflora (Lindl.) Beer
Eunannos coccinea (Lindl.) Porto & Brade
Sophronia coccinea Kuntze
Sophronia militaris Kuntz
Sophronitis coccinea f. rossiteriana (Barb. Rodr.) Pabst & Dungst
Sophronitis grandiflora Lindl.
Sophronitis lowii (Hort.) Curtis
Sophronitis militaris Rchb. f.
Sophronitis rossiteriana Barb. Rodri.

Sophronitis mantiqueirae (Fowlie) Fowlie

Etymology: genitive of Mantiqueira (Serra da), location of the habitat (Dicionário Etimológico das Orquídeas do Brasil - Pe. José Gonzáles Raposo)
Originally regarded as a subspecies of S. coccinea. It grows mainly in Minas Gerais, between 1200 and 1900m altitude with isolated populations in several states including Bahia. Its flowers are very similar to those of Sophronitis coccinea. The environment is high humid and temperature in general don't exceed 20 ° C in summer with a minimum of zero and a maximum of 15 º in winter. It blooms in midsummer. It shares the habitat with
Dryadella lilliputana, Oncidium concolor, O. longicornu and O gardneri. It blooms in summer.
Varieties
Sophronitis mantiqueirae var. parviflora Pabst
Sophronitis mantiqueirae var. varonica Hort. (salmon color, from Pico de Itambé - Minas Gerais).
Synonyms:
Sophronitis coccinea (Lindley) Rchb. f. ssp. mantiqueirae Fowlie
Sophronitis coccinea var. parvilfora Hort.

Sophronitis pygmaea (Pabst) Withner
The Cattleyas and Their Relatives Volume III. Pág. 77

Etymology: Feminine of pygmaeus, dwarf (Dicionário Etimológico das Orquídeas do Brasil - Pe. José Gonzáles Raposo).
Species discovered by Kautsky in the mountains of the state of Espírito Santo, was initially considered as a subspecies of Sophronitis coccinea. It grows in branches and trunks of trees or on rock, sometimes exposed to direct sunlight. Flowers very small barely reaching 2 cm in diameter and are born isolated from the apex of the pseudobulbs. They are reddish-orange and the lip is orange-yellow and red striated. It flowers in autumn and winter. It must be grown on slabs of wood in places with cold and high brightness without direct sun. Very careful not to get too dried between watering.
Synonym:
Sophronitis coccinea (Lindley) Rchb. f. subsp. pygmaea Pabst

Sophronitis wittigiana Barb. Rodr.

Etymology: adjective formed by Wittig, name (Dicionário Etimológico das Orquídeas do Brasil - Pe. José Gonzáles Raposo).
It is the largest of all species of the genus, widely known as Sophronitis rosea.
Francisco Miranda (Brazilian Orchids, Sodo Publishing, 1995, page 172) reports that this species occurs only in tropical forest in the state of the Espírito Santo abundant and may be above 800m, where it grows in damp and shaded forest.
Érico de Freitas Machado (História do Patrimônio Natural do Espírito Santo - Orquídeas, 2008 - página 58) shows that their color ranges from dark pink to light pink and includes a variety alba. He also informs that it is found mainly in the cities of Martinez Domingo, Santa Teresa and Santa Leopoldina and its dispersion range can reach other areas of the state and its occurrence is more constant between 600 and 900m altitude, appearing in high branches of large trees, preferably in sparse forests, sandy terrain where soil evaporation is more intense.
It shares the habitat with Sophronitis pygmaea, Onc. welteri, Onc. gardineri, Cattleya warneri, C. velutina and Scuticaria hadwenii among another species. It blooms during the winter (June and July - South hemisphere).
Synonyms:
Sophronitis violacea O’Brien
Sophronitis grandiflora var. rosea Hort.
Sophronitis rosea Hort. ex Gatiling

Hybridization
In hybridization, the importance of Sophronitis is attached to the fact reduce dramatically the size of the resulting plant and to its ability to convey their intense color. Therefore, his progeny is characterized by its red or orange flowers and the small ones.
The species most used Sophronitis coccinea then with less intensity, and Sophronitis cernua and Sophronitis brevipedunculata.


Sophronitis Arizona	Sophrolaeliocattleya Jewel Box

Sophrocattleya Mini Collins ‘ Pink Sherbet’

Slc. Hazel Boyd

One of the most classic hybrid is Slc. Hazel Boyd, a cross from Slc. California Apricot and the no less famous Slc. Jewel Box.
In the composition, Sophronitis coccinea is dominant with almost 30%, followed by Cattleya aurantiaca with a little less.
According to Álvaro Pessoa, in an article published in Orchids Volume 4 - No. 4 (1990) called "Sophronitis, contributing to miniaturization of Cattleyas, " it was not just the size that made this genre decisive. He stresses that the original red can not overcome the yellow, but on the other hand, emphasizes the magenta of lilacs, gives the color of "pitanga" when crossed with shades of orange; captures of spotted Cattleya schilleriana and C. aclandiae changing into true tones of ruby and creates unbelievable red tues.
Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) small orange Brazilian fruit.


Potinara Free Spirit	Sophrolaeliocatleya Barefoot Mailman

In contrast, the short stalk (peduncle) makes the progeny to produce shorter peduncle or when longer, they ar drooping. Besides, it takes too long time to be developed without the same force characteristic of the crosses.
He adds that in some crosses, the red color only appears on the lip.
Naturally, after so many years, these problems were minimized.


Potinara Little Toshie	Sophrocattleya Seagulls Raindrop (C. Chocolate Drop x S. coccinea)


Sophrolaeliocattleya Ayrton Senna	Sophrolaeliocattleya Tutankamen


Sophrolaelia (Laelia milleri x Sophronitis acuensis)	Sophrolaelia Marriottiana


Potinara Little Toshie 'Golden Country' - 'H & R'	Potinara Conrad Richards

Sophronitis Orbiter

Composition of the artificial hybrids including the genus Sophronitis

*Allioniara*	*Allr*	*Cattleya x Laelia x Myrmecophila x Sophronitis*
*Barkonitis*	*Bknts*	*Barkeria x Sophronitis*
*Bishopara*	*Bish*	*Broughtonia x Cattleya x Sophronitis*
*Brassophranthe*	*Bsp*	*Brassavola x Guarianthe x Sophronitis*
*Brassosophronitis*	*Bnts*	*Brassavola x Sophronitis*
*Buiara*	*Bui*	*Broughtonia x Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Clarkeara*	*Clka*	*Brassavola x Cattleya x Diacrium x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Conphronitis*	*Conph*	*Constantia x Sophronitis*
*Dieselara*	*Dsla*	*Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Epibrassonitis*	*Epbns*	*Brassavola x Epidendrum x Sophronitis*
*Epiphronitis*	*Ephs*	*Epidendrum x Sophronitis*
*Fergusonara*	*Ferg*	*Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Gladysyeeara*	*Glya*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Guarisophleya*	*Gsl*	*Cattleya x Guarianthe x Sophronitis*
*Hackerara*	*Hkr*	*Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Oerstedella x Sophonitis*
*Hartara*	*Hart*	*Broughtonia x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Hasegawara*	*Hasgw*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Hawkinsara*	*Hknsa*	*Broughtonia x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Herbertara*	*Hbtr*	*Cattleya x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Higashiara*	*Hgsh*	*Cattleya x Diacrium x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Izumiara*	*Izma*	*Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Broughtonia*
*Johnyeeara*	*Jya*	*Brassavola x Cattleya e Epidendrum x Laelia x Schmburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Kirchara*	*Kir*	*Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Lowara*	*Low*	*Brassavola x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Matsudaara*	*Msda*	*Barkeria x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Milspaughara*	*Mlsp*	*Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Myrmecophila x Soprhonitis*
*Mooreara*	*Mora*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Laelia x Shcomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Nuccioara*	*Nuc*	*Cattleya x Caularthron x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Panczakara*	*Pzka*	*Brassavola x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Potinara*	*Pot*	*Brassovola x Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Rhynithanthe*	*Rtt*	*Guarianthe x Rhyncholaelia x Sophronitis*
*Rynitis*	*Rhn*	*Rhyncholaelia x Sophronitis*
*Rolfeara*	*Rolf*	*Brassavola x Cattleya x Sophronitis*
*Rothara*	*Roth*	*Brassavola x Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Sallyyeeara*	*Sya*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Schombonitis*	*Smbts*	*Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*
*Severinara*	*Sev*	*Diacrium x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Sophranthe*	*Srt*	*Guarianthe x Sophronitis*
*Sophrocattleya*	Sc	*Cattleya x Sophronitis*
*Sophrolaelia*	Sl	*Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Sophrolaeliacattleya*	*Slc*	*Cattleya x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Staalara*	*Staal*	*Barkeria x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Stacyara*	*Stac*	*Cattleya x Epidendrum x Sophronitis*
*Stanfieldara*	*Sfdra*	*Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Trisuloara*	*Tsla*	*Barkeria x Brassavola x Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Vacherotara*	*Vach*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Sophronitis*
*Yeeara*	*Yra*	*Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleya x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis*

Remarks:

The genus Sophronitis has been taken in the traditional sense (senso) .
For the proposed changes, see the works of authors:
1- Cássio Van den Berg & Mark W. Chase, Nomenclatural Notes on Laeliinae I, Lindleyana 15(2): 115-119.2000, (New combinations of the genus Sophronitis to shelter Brazilian species of Laelia, based on DNA);
2- Nomenclatural Notes on Laeliinae II, Lindleyana 16(2): 109-112.2001. Cassio Van Den Berg, Neodivesity 3:3-12. 2008. 3-12 "New combinations in the genus Cattleya Lindl. (Orchidaceae)" (new combinations and names in Cattleya to shelter species included in the genera Laelia and Sophronitis).
3- Chiron & Paiva Castro Neto, Révision des espèces brésiliennes du genre Laelia Lindley. Richardiana II (I) Janvier 2002 e, em Português, no site Brazilian Orchids/Orchid News (http://www.delfinadearaujo.com/on/on17/paginas/summary.htm).
4- In the separation of the genus Laelia proposed by Guy R. Chiron and Vitorino P. Castro Neto, published in Richardiana II(I) Janvier 2002, the genus Hadrolaelia (Schlechter) Chiron & V. P. Castro] was proposed to shelter the species of the section Hadrolaelia Schltr. 1917 and part of sub-section Lobatae Cogniaux, l901, section Crispae Pftizer of the genus Laelia as well as the species of the genus Sophronitis, named Hadrolaelia section Sophronitis.

Excluded concepts (Synonyms)

Sophronitis australis Cogn. = Constantia australis (Cogn.) Porto & Brade
Sophronitis ochroleuca hort. Ex Regel = Maxillaria parviflora (Poeppig. & Endl.) Garay
Sophronitis rupestris (Barb. Rodr.) Cogn. = Constantia rupestris Barb. Rodrig.

Bibliografia
Barbosa Rodrigues - Iconographie des Orchidées du Brési- edição de Samuel Sprunger - 1996
Carl L. Withner - The Cattleyas and Their Relatives Volume III - 1993
Chiron & Castro Neto - Un nouveau Sophronitis (Orchidaceae) du Nordeste (Brésil) - Richardiana - III (2) Avril 2003
Cogniaux - Martii - Flora Brasiliensis
David Miller & Richard Warren, Orquídeas do Alto da Serra da Mata Atlântica Pluvial do Sudeste do Brasil, l996
David Miller & Richard Warren (Serra dos Órgãos, sua história e suas orquídeas)
Érico de Freitas Machado - História do Patrimônio Natural do Espírito Santo - Orquídeas, 2008 - página 58
Francisco Miranda, na revista Orquidario, vol 6 nº2, 1992
Francisco Miranda ( Brazilian Orchids, Sodo Publishing, 1995, página 172)
Guido Pabst - "As Orquídeas do Estado da Guanabara" - Revista Orquídeas Vol 28 - 1966
Jim & Barbara McQueen - Orchids of Brazil - The World of Orchids 2 1993

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