One of the most amazing flowers I’ve ever seen is the monkey-faced orchid. The first time I ever saw this orchid was at the orchidarium in Cuenca Ecuador. It’s hard to believe how much it actually looks like a little monkey face. Talk about a flower with personality!
Monkey-Faced Orchids in Cuenca Ecuador
These orchids grow in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru at 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level. When this little monkey is in full bloom it smells like a ripe orange.
The monkey-faced orchid (along with all tropical orchids) is an epiphyte so, like an air plant, it depends on other plants for support.
The monkey faced (Dracula simia) orchid gets it’s name from “dracula” referring to the long fang-like parts hanging down from the flower and “simia” referring to a monkey.
It’s also called the monkey-like Dracula.
When I saw this orchid it made me reflect on an aspect of beauty that can sometimes be overlooked. So I made a little poster…
“A lot is said about beauty… but personality makes a lasting impression.”
Have you seen the monkey-faced orchid? Where, and what were you thoughts? Please share by commenting on this post.
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Hi, I’m Dena Haines. And I’m co-founder of Storyteller Travel. I love to cover food, animals, and destinations around the world.
I also blog about photography at Storyteller Tech.
Charles Caywood
Monday 23rd of December 2013
Thanks for sharing and the description. Hopefully I will see the orchids and many of the other items you have posted. I will be in Cuenca this February for a couple of weeks and look forward to meeting you and some of the folks who respond to your articles. Merry Christmas Charles
mohammad
Monday 23rd of December 2013
I'm never seen like this amazing kind of Orchid.Thank you very much. By the way, i hope to you and your family a very Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Betty Quon
Sunday 22nd of December 2013
We saw these orchids at the botanical gardens in DC this summer. They really are amazing! I love your comment about beauty. It's true! I saw any beautiful flowers but cannot describe any of them now.-but I certainly remember the monkey faced orchid!
Alicia Rodriguez
Sunday 22nd of December 2013
Some of the most beautiful orchids I have seen were in the Orchid Garden in Mindo. It is tucked away in a side street of Mindo. The hummingbirds and butterflies dance around the hundreds of orchids found there. Here is my blog post on this beautiful sanctuary in Mindo, Ecuador.
Eric
Sunday 22nd of December 2013
That is very interesting Folks. a monkey faced flower. We can see that the creator had man in mind when e made these beautiful flowers . not only with a monkey face but such a beautiful color and an aroma too.