Miltonia’s region of origin extends from the Andes in Colombia to Peru and Ecuador. Miltonia is an epiphyte. In its home region the plant grows on the fringes and in open spaces in mountain forests on moss-covered branches. Miltonia is also called the ‘pansy orchid’. There are hundreds of species which vary greatly in terms of shape and size. Captured a few at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in North Carolina.
The actual Miltonia orchid is a warm-growing flower, generally found in areas of Brazil. The flower we often think of as a Miltonia is actually a Miltoniopsis orchid found in the Andes’ cool mountain regions. These flowers are both often referred to as the “pansy orchid,” as the blooming face looks very similar to the pansy.
Miltoniopsis are commonly known as ‘pansy orchids’ because of the similarity of the flowers to pansies. The main difference between Miltonia and Miltoniopsis is their flower shape. Miltonia orchids have large, flat flowers with five petals and sepals that are usually an equal size. Miltoniopsis orchids have smaller, rounder flowers with five petals and sepals that are unequal in size. Various specimens of these orchids are on display at the Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, North Carolina.
