MONKEY FACE ORCHIDS

Monkey face orchids
Monkey face orchids




The first time you come across a picture of a monkey face orchid, you can be forgiven for thinking that you are looking at an image that has been subjected to photo editing. But I kid you not, Monkey face orchids are not only real, there are number of species - each with a different face!

Monkey face orchid
Monkey face orchid
Dracula simia, called also "Monkey Orchid" or "The Monkey-Like Dracula," is an epiphytic orchid in the genus Dracula.

As you can clearly see from the images within this post, the arrangement of column, petals and lip strongly resembles a monkey's face.

Incidentally, the genus name 'Dracula' refers to the strange characteristic of the two long spurs of the sepals, reminiscent of vampire fangs!

The orchid is in fact a recent discovery and was only named in 1978 by the botanist Luer. Research has discovered that the monkey orchid is part of a family containing over 120 species, mostly found in Ecuador.

Monkey face orchids
Monkey face orchids
The monkey orchid is extremely rare, and only a few lucky collectors have been able to habitat.

They are found only on the mountains of Ecuador and Peru at elevations of 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level.

Up in the cloud mountains the monkey orchid can flower at any time – it is not season specific.

The plant blooms at any season with a single 5cm successive flower. These fascinating flowers are also endowed with an unusual fragrance, the scent of a ripe orange.

For related articles click onto the following links:
CEROPEGIA AMPLIATA - The Bushman's Pipe
CHARLES DARWIN'S FAVOURITE ORCHID - Catasetum species
DEVIL'S FINGERS - Clathrus archeri
HOW TO FEED ORCHIDS
HOW TO GROW THE BUSHMAN'S PIPE - ceropegia ampliata
HOW TO REPOT AN ORCHID
HOW TO WATER ORCHIDS
HOW TO GROW THE HYACINTH ORCHID - Bletilla striata
HYDNORA AFRICANA
THE FLYING DUCK ORCHID
MONKEY FACE ORCHIDS
SCHOMBURGKIA EXALTATA
THE BEE ORCHIDS
THE BUTTERFLY ORCHID - Psychopsis papilio
THE EYEBALL PLANT - Actaea pachypoda
THE GHOST PLANT - Monotropa uniflora
THE 'HOOKER'S LIPS' PLANT
THE LIZARD VINE
Labels: ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)