Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly'

[Libo]

For those who have never seen something like this, please don't freak out

If you consider this to be a freak, I can totoally understand

This is one of the extremely rare case of orchid to have a "double" type flower. Actually it is not true double, more like flower inside a flower, or "tree" flower. I personally do not find this very appealing, but this type of flower can be really expensive in China. Close up shows the structure of the flower having multiple sepals and petals, as well as multiple lips. There are some column like structure, but I doubt it will be fertile. There are anthers though which may be fertile. Regardless of the strange shape, the flower is very fragrant.

This represent the Chinese chrysanthemum type flower, which may be why Chinese find this attractive. Also, the reason it was called "Butterfly" is because the multiple dotted lips in the flower. Under the right condition the flower will appear redder than the one shown here, which looks like fireworks and may be more attractive. I personally still like the simple structure of the common orchid flower better. But this unique one deserve a place in a cym. ensifolium collection.


Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly' by ~Libo~, on Flickr


Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly' by ~Libo~, on Flickr


Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly' by ~Libo~, on Flickr


Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly' by ~Libo~, on Flickr


Cymbidium ensifolium 'Fu Mountain Wonder Butterfly' by ~Libo~, on Flickr

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow - that's very interesting

[greenbean]

Yeah, wow. It certainly does have an interesting structure, definitely something I could look at for some time just to understand the details, but I don't think I have the proper appreciation for it to be on my wishlist.

[tuvoc]

Cool. In love these odd ball bloomers.

Kim

[Libo]

Originally Posted by greenbean

Yeah, wow. It certainly does have an interesting structure, definitely something I could look at for some time just to understand the details, but I don't think I have the proper appreciation for it to be on my wishlist.

I can totally understand that I did not know it's possible before I saw it. Again, I agree with you that it is more interesting than pretty.

[pheli]

It is an interesting one and used to be very expensive.

[greenbean]

Originally Posted by Libo

I can totally understand that I did not know it's possible before I saw it. Again, I agree with you that it is more interesting than pretty.

To each their own. I have some plants in my own collection that would probably be considered more "interesting" than pretty.

[smweaver]

It is a strange--and interesting--bloom. Is the strong fragrance the same scent that's typical for Cym. ensifolium? That's got to be one of the very best fragrances in the orchid kingdom, and I would keep the plant for that trait alone. Congratulations on the flowers.

Steve

[Libo]

Originally Posted by smweaver

It is a strange--and interesting--bloom. Is the strong fragrance the same scent that's typical for Cym. ensifolium? That's got to be one of the very best fragrances in the orchid kingdom, and I would keep the plant for that trait alone. Congratulations on the flowers.

Steve

Yes it is. All the ensifolium share similar fragrance, which is heavenly.

[Paul]

What an interesting mutant! I cannot say I find it attractive -- like you Libo I much prefer the "normal" flowers -- but it is interestingly unusual. I have never seen such an extreme mutation in an orchid before. Thanks for posting it!