Botanical species belonging to the subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Cymbidieae, subtribe Oncidiinae, Gomesa radicans is described by MWCHASE & NHWILLIAMS, Ann. Butt. (Oxford) 104: 398 (2009) and also known by the synonyms Ornithophora quadricolor Barb. Rodr, assigned in 1864, Ornithophora radicans (Rchb. F) Garray & Pabst., in 1951, Sigmatostalix radicans Rchb. F. in 1882. The species was described by Robert Brown and named in honor of Dr. Bernardino Antonio Gomes, Portuguese doctor and botanist.

It is possible that there are more species than the 12 currently known, which are waiting to be discovered, or which require taxonomic and systematic clarifications. Gomesa radicans , initially included in the Ornithophora genus, as its only species, was later included in the Gomesa genus, following specialist revisions.

Gomesa radicans inhabits tropical humid mountain forests, at altitudes of 450 - 1300 m in the coastal regions, in Brazil and Argentina. Some species of the genus Gomesa can reach inland regions, but they will always prefer forests with high humidity, along rivers, where they can occupy epiphytic or lithophilic stations, rich in organic material, which remains stored between the pseudobulbs (these are well developed, compared to the size of the specimens).

It is originally from Brazil, being collected for the first time near Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, but also being known near the coastal area, in the states of Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. Miniature species, heat-loving , can reach a height of 23 cm, stands out for its narrow, thin, oblong-ligulate, laterally compressed pseudobulbs, which can reach lengths of approximately 5 cm, and on which several sheaths are inserted basally leaves. In the apical area of ​​the bulbs there are two other leaves, cuneate, linear - ligulate, acute, membranous, up to 18 cm long, similar to blades of grass.

Gomesa radicans blooms in summer and autumn , forming long, thin, arched flower stalks, up to 18 cm long, on which rare, small, fragrant flowers are inserted, 0.6 - 1 cm long, measured from the tip of the dorsal petal to at the lower edge of the labellum. The flower is colored white to greenish white, with a yellow labellum, sometimes accented with orange, while the dorsal area shows dark purple colors.

Moderate light- loving species, prefers light radiation intensities of 15,000 - 23,000 lux, but not direct light, but filtered, accompanied by ensuring good ventilation.

The average temperature during the summer days will be 29 - 31 °C, with minimums of 18 - 20 °C at night, and in winter, the temperature during the day will be 19 - 20 °C, with minimums of 9 - 10 °C the night.

The species prefers a high humidity , typical of the conditions in the native environment, and it is necessary that its values ​​fall within the range of 75 - 80%, but needing decreases up to 65 - 70% during the summer.

Due to the way the species grows, it lends itself exceptionally well to mounting on bark plates, but in this case it is necessary to ensure higher levels of humidity and to administer daily spraying of the leaves during the summer days. Plants can also grow well in pots with reduced height or in wooden baskets with good drainage, provided with a very loose substrate , which allows a quick drainage of water. It is very important that the substrate around the roots is not soaked with water, but also that it does not dry completely, as frequent changes of the substrate are necessary to avoid its complete decomposition.

Dividing the plants is easy, and is achieved with the best results when the start of the production of new growth is observed. Watering will be administered moderately to intensively throughout the year, its intensification being necessary during the growth period.

Fertilization - fertilizers will be used at 25 - 50% of the recommended dosage, it being possible to administer some balanced ones, or others rich in nitrogen, from spring to mid-summer, followed by the replacement with those rich in phosphorus until the end of autumn.

During the winter, a rest period can be granted, slightly reducing the amount of water administered, especially in regions where the hibernal photoperiod shows significant reductions, but without allowing the plants or the substrate to dry completely, or the pseudobulbs to shrivel excessively. During this period, fertilization will be reduced or eliminated, until the beginning of spring.

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