Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: The Bulbophyllum with the Hedge-Hog Shaped Lip

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae

Distribution: Sulawesi

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): Year round; peaks in Spring and Fall

Bloom characteristics: Each inflorescence can have up to 3 flowers, which are held close to the folliage. Some flowers have been reported to be 16" long from top to bottom, but the origninal one described was 9" long.

Fragrance: Rotten waste

Pollination syndrome: Flies

Description: With an intriguing name comes an intriguing orchid. This orchid has a warty lip which can move, an unpleasant smell, and is the largest flower of any orchid in the subtribe Bulbophyllinae.

Comments: Bulbophyllum echinolabium