monkey orchid

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dracula-simia

image: Steve Beckendorf

Dracula Simia is the botanic name of these amazing orchids.  Botanist Dr Luer named them Dracula, which means ‘little dragon’.  They are known as monkey orchids because of their striking resemblance to a monkey or baboon’s face.

monkey-orchid

image: S.Schneckenburger

There are over 120 species which grow in the mountains of Ecuador and Peru, at heights of 1000 to 2000 metres.  That is probably why they weren’t named until 1978 as they are hard to find, they are still very rare as cultivated plants. The orchids like cool humid conditions and have a scent of ripe oranges.

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