Monday, September 13, 2010

Zootrophion endresianum

This interesting orchid species was purchased as Zootrophion gracilentum, but I am pretty certain that is not that species. The description of Zootrophion endresianum fits this species better.

The plant is about 20 cm tall and freely produces its strange and interesting flowers during the summer. The flowers are about 3 cm in size and only open little "windows" in the sides of the flower, through which the pollinating insect must crawl.

The name Zootrophion refers to the cage-like shape of the flowers with their little "windows." The name endresianum refers to a German orchid collector of the 19th century.  The species is from Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia and tolerates a wide range of temperatures. It is considered by some to be synonymous with Zootrophion hypodiscus.




4 comments:

  1. i'm surprised to see that these blossoms aren't on long stems as so many others are . . . i just assumed and am happy that i came to see the blog and get a more in depth look at these.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  2. Thanks for the comment, Libby. I try with each orchid I feature to include pictures of the plant and its growth habit.

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  3. What time of the year do these bloom?

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  4. Mine always blooms in the summer, July or August.

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