The "Bat" Lepanthes

[ronaldhanko]

Lepanthes nycteris is named after a family of bats - apparently the person who described it saw some resemblance which I can't see, but here it is:



Orchids in Bloom: Lepanthes nycteris

[Zoi2]

That is so cool, I really love it!
You have the most interesting flowers and I love looking at your pictures. Thank you for all your posts.
Joann

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow! that's very cool!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

That is so cool, I really love it!
You have the most interesting flowers and I love looking at your pictures. Thank you for all your posts.
Joann

[Bud]

Quite interesting plant! I dont see the bat at all...but I fell in love with the oval leaf...this is a small plant on a mount...I MUST have one of these and I have just the space to hang it!

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks Joann, WhiteRabbit and Bud.

[Paul]

Very cool flower!

To address the "bat" question. I don't believe I would have come up with this myself if I had discovered this flower. However, once I read your comment about the name's meaning, Ron, I did immediately have an idea of what inspired the name -- and could "see" it.

First a small correction, Nycteris does not refer to a Family of bats, but rather to a Genus of bats. (I know I'm being nitpicky but I figure if it was an orchid under discussion we'd want accuracy so.....) This genus of bats has very large ears in relation to its head. Look at the picture of this bat (in particular look at its head) to which I have linked here: http://bats.mampam.com/madagascar/fr...s/image004.jpg
and then go back to Ron's picture and look closely at the center of the flower (the lip and fuzzy petals).

See it now?

[jrodpad]

That is nothing short of remarkable! Wow!!!! Orchids are amazing - and so is your collection Ron.

Thanks for sharing.

- J

[ronaldhanko]

I think, Paul, that I was looking at the whole flower, but from your description, I can see where the name could have come from, and you are correct about the Genus of bats..

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, J.