Orchid ‘Prosthechea Cochleata (Epidendrum Cochleatum)’

In the northern area of South America and the tropical parts of Central America Epidendrum cochleatum can be found in the wild. The orchid has an inverted flower. The elongated curled white petals grow from at the bottom of the flower for this reason. The lip covers the pollen of the flower and has a dark purple colour with white stripes over its length. Its dark colour resulted it being named ‘the black orchid’ in Belize, where Epidendrum cochleatum is the national emblem. The bulbs are even eaten there. These bulbs produce leathery leaves with a length of 30 centimetre. 2 or 3 flowers grow at a time and can blossom for months.