Object Details
Description
This orchid has tiny flowers which grow on giant spikes, making an impressive display of pink. The small flowers grow upside down, and have blue pollinia, making The Giant Arpophyllum an interesting display from afar or up close.
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
Leaves have been used to treat dysentary.
Pollination Syndrome
Likely bird
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2008-0686A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Epiphytic
Bloom Characteristics
Inflorescence is 6-16" (15-40 cm) long with many spiralling, pink flowers. Flowers are .33" (.84 cm) across.
Plant Size
20-30" x 4-5" (51-76 x 10-13 cm), excluding inflorescence
Range
Mexico to NW Venezuela, Jamaica
Habitat
foothill forests; 2600-4900ft (800-1500m)
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
Candlestick Orchid
Masorquilla
Pico de Curvo
The Giant Arpophyllum
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Arpophyllum
Species
giganteum
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2008-0686A