Erect inflorescence is 3-4.5 feet (89-140 cm) long 10-20 waxy, white flowers that open in succession. Flowers are 2" (5 cm) across.
Foliage Characteristics:
Deciduous
Fragrance:
Fragrant (strong). Sweet and fruity from afar, but spicy up close.
Plant Size:
25-40" x 20-30" (64-102 x 51-76 cm), excluding inflorescence
Range:
C America to Venezuela and Ecuador
Habitat:
Tropical wet forests; 330-2300ft (100-700m)
Description:
This large orchid is named for the appearance of the inside of the flower, which looks like a dove sitting in a nest. The flower has a hinged lip which flips its pollinator into the flower, and aids in pollination. It is the type species of the genus.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere):
June to October
Ethnobotanical Uses:
This has been the national flower of Panama since 1936.