Other common names
octopus plant
Synonyms
Cirrhopetalum medusae
Conservatory Greenhouse
A fast-growing, branching orchid, with a creeping stem found growing on the bark of trunks and large tree branches. It prefers warm to hot growing conditions, partial shade and high humidity such as is found in wet, tropical lowland forests and mangroves. It produces swollen stems called pseudobulbs which store water and nutrients, each carrying a single leaf at the tip. Clusters of up to 50 white, spidery flowers, with an unpleasant smell, are produced at the top of a flower stem up to 20cm long. These are produced on a newly forming pseudobulb in autumn and winter
Position
Partial shade
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres