The weirdest orchids

[Rico13]

Hello all , If you don't know I like to collect really weird orchids. And lately my list has been running short of what to buy next. So, I am looking for some weird orchids for my mental list, any suggestions on ones you know of. Thanks for the help!


-rico

[naoki]

Rico, different people think that different things weird, so what kind of orchids have you collected?

Ophrys species are weird if you think about how they attract the pollinators (pseudo copulation of bees).

Phragmipedium lindenii is weird, because it lost the pouch which is important for pollination. They probably evolved to be self-fertilizing, but they still make a big flower.

Bulbophyllum has lots of species with weird shaped flowers, and some of them are pretty stinky.

Pterostylis has also interesting looking flower shape.

Catasetum is monoecious (a single plant produces female and male flowers like cucumbers).

Dimorphorchis produces two completely different looking types of flowers.

Then there are Myco-heterotrophic orchids such as Cephalanthera austinae, Corallorhiza striata etc (most of which is not possible/easy to grow).

The leaf less orchids are interesting, too. Dendrophylax, Chiloschista usneoides, Taeniophyllum micranthum.

But in general, if you start to think the floral structure and how the orchid achieve pollination, most orchids are weird.

[stonedragonfarms]

Rico:
I agree with Naoki; though you might try any of the Pterostylis species, Lepanthes are very interesting (given their tiny jewel-like flowers and often weird leaf structure) as are many Pleurothallis, which can run the range from itty-bitty to monstrous... If you have a bit of time, flip through the pages on the Pleurothallid Alliance site Pleurothallids.com
Adam

[AnonYMouse]

Agree with the above. Weird is in the eye of the beholder. If you can find it, I think Telipogons are weird.

[theroc1217]

Try Porpax, Chiloschista, Psychopsiella, Nervilia, Isochilus, Sobralia, Nephalaphylum, and Oeceoclades. They all have very unique and/or interesting habits.