Scaphosepalum merinoi

The Scaphosepalums includes some of the oddest flowers in the orchid world.  Scaphosepalum merinoi from Ecuador is no exception and even the flower buds are oddly shaped.  Like many other species in the genus this flowers successively over a long period of time, so that the ends of the flower spikes begin to take on a herringbone pattern.  The flowers are 6cm across and the flower spikes are 20 cm long.  The plant is from Ecuador and is 8-10cm tall.  It is best grown mounted because of its long flower spikes.

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Scaphosepalum merinoi

This is another unusual species from Ecuador.  The Scaphosepalums all have these "horned" flowers, though in some cases the appendages are not as long as in this species.  The plant itself has Masdevallia-like leaves and growth, approximately 8 cm tall, but the flower spikes are very long compared to the plant, 20 cm, and they continue to lengthen as the flowers are produced one after another, six or more per spike.  The flowers are 6 cm from tip to tip, rather large for the genus.  The plant is supposed to be warmth tolerant, but I grow it cool.  It is best grown mounted because of its long spikes

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