One of the more unusual types of orchids I photographed on my recent visit to Longwood Gardens‘ Orchid Extravaganza was a series of Epidendrum orchids. According to the sign in the Palm House, epidendrums are native to Central America. They often grow alongside other flowers such as mildweed and lantana – mimicing the shape and color of those flowers.
What I found so unusual about the Epidendrums was the shape of their flowers. Each has what appears to be a fringed lip on one of its petals. The flowers on each Epidendrum were slightly different colors and shapes than all of the others. Most had shades of red or orange.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
I really likd this set of flowers – it shows a bud, an unfolding flower and one fully open.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
This epidendrum’s flowers were all bright yellow. I was able to photograph lit by the sunlight streaming through the glass of the Palm House.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
I found this last Epindendrum with it’s purple and white flowers in the Tropical Terrace.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
According to Wikipedia, there are over 1100 different species of Epidendrum. The ones at Longwood were not identified as being any particular species. Does anyone know which species any of the Epidendrums I photographed are? Looking at some images online, I think some of the red/orange ones may be Epidendrum radicans.
Great colors. My university has an orchid house. Need to get over there with my camera.
Chris
Wonderful color.
Patty, Those orchids are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
These are lovely, but they make me yearn for summer…
Wow, these are amazing. I wish I could take flower photos like this.
Are you using a macro lens?
These are really beautiful and magnificent flowers! I have always been an orchid enthusiast and always enjoy it when they start to bloom. These pictures are really amazing, and I hope you keep taking more pictures of orchids because they are really great!
Hello Patty, absolutely wonderful! Great light, great compostion, great background, and great color!