Bulbophyllum falcatum

Valeria Valkova

A miniature, warm-growing orchid, found growing on trees and occasionally rocks, producing angled, swollen stems, which store water and nutrients called pseudobulbs, growing to 10cm high. Each are adorned with two sickle-shaped leaves at their tips produced along a creeping stem which roots onto the bark or rock to provide support. Up to 14 flowers are produced along each side of a maroon coloured, flattened flower stem, appearing in winter and spring. They have an unpleasant smell. The dorsal petal is yellow and white on the inside and purple on the outside. The inner petals are wrapped in whorls around the base of the flower and are purple. There is a pronounced, purple, tongue-like lip called a labellum