Peristeria (plant)

Peristeria is a genus of plants of the family Orchidaceae[2] 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. In nature, it is found across much of South America as well as in Panama, Costa Rica and Trinidad.[1]

Dove orchids Holy Ghost orchid
Peristeria elata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Tribe:	Cymbidieae
Subtribe:	Coeliopsidinae
Genus:	Peristeria Hook.
Type species
Peristeria elata Hook.
Species
Peristeria cerina Peristeria cochlearis Peristeria elata Peristeria ephippium Peristeria esperanzae Peristeria guttata Peristeria leucoxantha Peristeria lindenii Peristeria pendula Peristeria rossiana Peristeria selligera Peristeria serroniana Peristeria violacea
Synonyms[1]
Eckartia Rchb. f.

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.