Paphiopedilum Deconstructed.
John West John West

Paphiopedilum Deconstructed.

The staminode, a repurposed sterile anther is a big feature inside the slipper orchid lip. Shaped like a giant flyswat, it collects incoming female hoverflies on its smooth surface before dropping them into the cup shaped lip where they buzz around before working out how to escape.

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Epidendrum Pacific Rose Part 1
John West John West

Epidendrum Pacific Rose Part 1

Epidendrum Pacific Rose is apparently a cross between Epi. Pacific vista and Epi. Orange Glow. It’s easy to see which side of the family lent it’s colour genes to the mix..

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Slipper Orchid is showing off its opening routine.
John West John West

Slipper Orchid is showing off its opening routine.

My slipper orchid executing a flower build using techniques perfected over the last sixty million years. Early ancestors appeared during the Palaeocene and genes responsible for this marvel reboot with every successiove generation.

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Tibouchina, a first look.
John West John West

Tibouchina, a first look.

I love this plant. The flower opens with a smile while arm-shaped stamens, complete with an elbow wave madly to attract bees.

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