Object Details
Description
This is one of the largest orchid species in the world, with leaves that can grow to over 6 feet long. The flowers of this orchid are not particularly large, but do produce a powerful stink to attract the blowflies and carrion beetles which are its pollinators. The fragrance has been imaginatively described in many ways, but suffice to say, it stinks.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
January to May
Pollination Syndrome
Blowflies, carrion beetles
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2007-1131A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Lithophytic
Bloom Characteristics
Erect inflorescence is short with 20-30 flowers. Flowers are .75" across, but are covered in bracts that can be 1.8" long.
Foliage Characteristics
Dark green leaves can be up to 6' long.
Fragrance
Rotten meat
Range
New Guinea
Habitat
Cliff faces, riverine thickets in savannahs; 250-800m
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
Fletcher's Bulbophyllum
Spies' Bulbophyllum
Tongue Orchid
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Bulbophyllum
Species
fletcherianum
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2007-1131A