Vandopsis gigantea
Object Details
- Description
- This giant orchid takes its name from the column of the flower, which many think looks like the head of a porpoise with two spots for eyes.
- Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
- December to May; peaks in February
- Pollination Syndrome
- Likely bee (Xylocopa)
- Provenance
- From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
- Data Source
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Accession Number
- 2008-3256A
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Life Form
- Epiphytic
- Bloom Characteristics
- Erect inflorescence is 16" (40 cm) long with 6-18 long-lasting, yellow flowers with pink speckles. Flowers are 3" (7 cm) across.
- Fragrance
- Fragrant during day (faint)
- Plant Size
- 12-40" x 12-25" (30-102 x 30-64 cm)
- Range
- Bangladesh to China (S Yunnan, SW Guangxi) and Pen Malaysia
- Habitat
- Open mossy rocks in forests; 985-3600ft (300-1100m)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
- Common Name
- Porpoise Head Orchid
- The Giant Vandopsis
- Group
- [vascular plants]
- Class
- Equisetopsida
- Subclass
- Magnoliidae
- Superorder
- Lilianae
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Subfamily
- Epidendroideae
- Genus
- Vandopsis
- Species
- gigantea
- Topic
- Orchids
- Living Collections
- Record ID
- ofeo-sg_2008-3256A
