Object Details
Description
This medium sized orchid causes its bee pollinator to fall through its flower, collecting pollinia as it goes. The bee repeats this move at the next flower it visits, causing it to be pollinated.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
May to October; peaks in July
Ethnobotanical Uses
In some parts of Mexico, the flowers of this orchid were used in the preparation of tortillas.
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
This plant was used medicinally by the Aztecs and to treat sunstroke and weakness by Mexican Indians.
Pollination Syndrome
Bee (euglossine), collects oil
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2015-1393A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Epiphytic
Bloom Characteristics
Pendant inflorescence is 6" (15.3 cm) long with 3-10 white and red mottled flowers. Flowers are 8" (20 cm) across.
Fragrance
Chocolate, vanilla
Plant Size
10-18" x 4-5" (25-46 x 10-13 cm), excluding inflorescence
Range
Mexico
Habitat
damp, thick forests; 1970-5580ft (600-1700m)
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
Spotted Bull
The Tiger-like Stanhopea
Torito
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Stanhopea
Species
tigrina
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2015-1393A