Life Form:

Epiphytic

Bloom Characteristics:

Erect inflorescence is 5-15" (7.5-37 cm) long with a single yellow flower with a red overlay that does not open fully. Flower is 1.5-3.5" (4-9 cm) across.

Fragrance:

Fragrant

Plant Size:

8-14" x 2-3" (20-36 x 5-8 cm)

Range:

Mexico to C America

Habitat:

dense, humid forests, cloud forest, coffee plantations; 2300-10825ft (700-3300m)

Description:

This small orchid is likely pollinated by stingless bees which are attracted to its flower’s shiny lip. Unfortunately for the bees, there is no nectar in this orchid’s flower; the shiny flower lip is just a deception to attract them.

Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere):

August to May; peaks in September and October

Pollination Syndrome:

Likely bee

Provenance:

From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Topic:

Orchids  Search this

Living Collections  Search this

Common Name:

Brown Friars

The Cowl Carrying Maxillaria

Group:

[vascular plants]

Class:

Equisetopsida

Subclass:

Magnoliidae

Superorder:

Lilianae

Order:

Asparagales

Family:

Orchidaceae

Subfamily:

Epidendroideae

Genus:

Maxillaria

Species:

cucullata

Accession Number:

2017-0014B

Restrictions & Rights:

CC0

See more items in:

Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection

Data Source:

Smithsonian Gardens

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7bf4ec83c-8505-4e52-8474-beb45b54f88d

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:ofeo-sg_2017-0014B