Thursday, November 27, 2008

Monja Blanca, The White Nun


Lycaste skinneri variety alba, also know as Monja Blanca, the white nun, in it's native habitat of Guatamala. It was proclaimed the national flower of Guatemala in 1934 by the dictator Ubico and is found in Alta Verapaz, in the northwest of the country. It is fragrant and showy, but difficult to grow; commercial use is prohibited in Guatemala. It is said to symbolize peace, beauty, and art.

It's still raining here. We hit a 100 year record of about 1" which, for this semi-arid climate, is quite a lot. Perhaps it will put off water rationing for another year. Meanwhile, this Lycaste is one of the many orchids blooming in the greenhouse that makes the rainy weather that much brighter.

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