Peristeria (orchid)

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Dove Orchid

Peristeria elata

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Orchidales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Maxillarieae
Subtribe:	Coeliopsidinae
Genus:	Peristeria Hook.

Type species

Peristeria elata
Hook.

Species

Peristeria aspersa
Peristeria barkeri
Peristeria cerina
- Peristeria cerina var. guttata
- Peristeria cerina var. guttulata
Peristeria cochlearis
Peristeria elata
Peristeria ephippium
Peristeria fuscata
Peristeria graveolens
Peristeria guttata
- Peristeria guttata' var. violacea
Peristeria humboldti
Peristeria humboldtii
- Peristeria humboldtii var. fulva
Peristeria laeta
Peristeria lentiginosa
Peristeria leucoxantha
Peristeria lindenii
Peristeria longiscapa
Peristeria maculata
Peristeria pendula
Peristeria rossiana
Peristeria selligera
Peristeria serroniana
Peristeria stapelioides
Peristeria violacea

Synonyms

Eckartia Rchb. f.

Peristeria is a genus of plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae commonly called Dove Orchid or Holy Ghost Orchid. In line with the common name, the genus' name is from the Greek word peristerion meaning "from dove". According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Per is the official orchid abbreviation for this genus.

Peristeria elata is the national flower of Panama and is extremely over-collected in its native habitat. This over collection has led to its status as a species threatened with extinction delineated in Appendix I of CITES. In its native habitat, Peristeria can usually be found growing near the edge of hardwood forests. In the fall, after the trees in the hardwood forest lose their leaves, the plants are exposed to full sun throughout the cool, dry winter. Species in this genus are either epiphytic or terrestrial in growth habit.