Bulbophyllum masoalanum
Submitted by bernabu on Fri, 25/04/2008 - 05:22
Bulbophyllum masoalanum Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 34(2): 328 (1916).
Section: Lyraea
Distribution: Madagascar
Small warm growing epiphyte in dense forest at 1000ft. Four angled psuedobulbs with two leaves. There is a 2" long pendant inflorescence with 1/8" flowers arranged around the rhachis close together. As with nearly all the Madagascan species in this genus, they are unique. The lip has a firm jelly like substance which the tiny bush-snails in our greenhouse love, look at the top of the image to see the lips without this jelly. This species is named after the area of Cape Masoala in the North East where it is found. Until I found the correct name for this species it was named "The green monster"
bernabu
Green Monster
Bernard, this has to be the strangest orchid on the planet, it's so ugly but at the same time it is beautiful.
Bill
green monster
I agree Bill....It's what you get on an island that's been seperated from the mainland for millions of years, there are about 40 named species similar to this one all different sizes shapes colour and forms. Madagascar has some species even more weird than these. Isolation and evolution have presented us with these monsters/beauties.
Bernard