Please Post Your Most Bizarre Orchid Flower.

[MattWoelfsen]

My Bulbophyllum medusae is in bloom. I have seen many pictures of this plant—which caused me to get one for myself. After a couple of years, it has bloomed! This has to be the most bizarre looking flower ever. It is also scented BUT it smells like bleach. What kind of pollinator would be attracted to bleach?

Can any one top this flower?

[rbarata]

I don't have one...

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

What kind of pollinator would be attracted to bleach?

Is it a chlorine smell or like a scented bleach smell?

I would imagine whatever chemicals are cooking up in those flowers, none of them is gaseous chlorine (just a guess, I could be wrong).

Perhaps it's an unrelated chemical that just happens to trigger the same receptors in our noses as does the bleach, but to the pollinator of this plant (presumably an arthropod of some sort), it smells like a thing that cannot be ignored and must be investigated.

But I agree, there are lots of "chemically" smelling orchid fragrances out there: moth balls, camphor, pine sol, etc. And they do make you wonder, what kind of bug is attracted to the smell of burnt plastic?

[Leafmite]

Here is mine! Lepanthes gargoyla:

[MattWoelfsen]

That is an odd looking flower, Leafmite.

[Leafmite]

I am always amazed at the variety of orchids.

[Roberta]

Any of the Stanhopeas have to be up there with "weirdest" Here's Stanhopea tigrina var. nigroviolacea. Squid maybe? These open with a snap, releasing a burst of heady perfume. Downside is that flowers only last a day or two, alas.

[Subrosa]

Gongora rufescens, my little red dragons:

[MattWoelfsen]

It is really encouraging that you all have submitted so many different flower styles. Every flower here is unusual.

[Leisurely]

Several years ago I had a specimen size of Bulbophyllum medusae that produced numerous flowers. I recall donating it to the local orchid society auction because I was so disappointed in the short duration of the flowers. It seems I recall that they only lasted for about one week in good condition. Recently I have wanted to get another so I am wondering if you might tell me how long the flower on your plant lasts.