It is what it is. Always looked like an octopus to me.
I HAD a cat that liked to eat spikes. He's gone. We think an owl got him. Lived outdoors after that and some wee wee accidents.
We miss him.
Taxonomists are having a field day with this! Prosthecea cochleata (formerly known as Encyclia cochleata or Epidendrum cochleatum) is a member of the Cattleya Alliance. 28 hybrids have been made using the 'cockleshell' orchid as a parent.
Most of the 28 hybrids that have been made are primary hybrids, only a few of which have been recognized with AOS awards.
Epi. Green Hornet has an HCC - this is cochleatum x lancifolium. Its a more compact plant and has smaller flowers than the cochleatum parent ...
Another interesting one is Epi. Goldstern - cochleatum x vitellina. It has a gorgeous yellow color.
Then there's cochleata x garciana. And if you ever have a chance to buy one, try Bepi. Coral Drop Utuado (Brassavola nodosa x Epi. cochleata) - it's a cute flower and wonderfully fragrant.
Some hybridizers are putting cochleata onto big catts - Danuta may have potential. This as yet unregistered hybrid is (C. guttata x Minerva) x cochleata.
The neatest thing about cochleata is that its upside-down flower is the way it should be.