Object Details
- Description
- This medium sized orchid is believed to be self-pollinated in Florida, as it has no known pollinators there.
- Ethnobotanical Uses
- The psuedobulb can be cooked and eaten. It is also the national flower of Beliz.
- Pollination Syndrome
- Wasp
- Provenance
- From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
- Range
- S Florida, Caribbean, Mexico to N South America
- Habitat
- Dense tropical forests; 0-6200ft (0-1900m)
- Topic
- Orchids
- Living Collections
- See more items in
- Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
- Data Source
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Accession Number
- 2009-1397A
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Common Name
- Clamshell Orchid
- Cockleshell Orchid
- Octopus Orchid
- Orquidea Negra
- Group
- [vascular plants]
- Class
- Equisetopsida
- Subclass
- Magnoliidae
- Superorder
- Lilianae
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Subfamily
- Epidendroideae
- Genus
- Prosthechea
- Species
- cochleata
- Life Form
- Epiphytic
- Bloom Characteristics
- Erect inflorescence is 8-15" (20-38 cm) long with up to 20 upside down, green flowers with a white and dark purple lip. Flowers are 3.5" (8.75 cm) across and can bloom for 6 months.
- Fragrance
- Scentless to slightly spicy
- Plant Size
- 10-20" x 7-10" (25-51 x 18-25 cm), excluding inflorescence
- Record ID
- ofeo-sg_2009-1397A
Related Object Groups
3D Model