|
Once the national flower of Venezuela and still gracing the country's 500
bolivar note, Catasetum pileatum is highly esteemed by collectors even
though its large flowers last only a few days. This unusual orchid produces
flowers that are either male or female, not both, as in all other orchids. Male
flowers of this species are colorful and variegated, as seen here, while females are yellow-green and uniform in pattern. Besides Venezuela, C.
pileatum is native to Colombia, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago.
| |