Cyrtopodium punctatum (Bee Swarm Orchid)

Botanical name: Cyrtopodium punctatum

Common names: Bee Swarm Orchid, Cigar Orchid, Cowhorn Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Origin: Florida

The plants are mostly medium to large in size and are terrestrial, lithophytic or epiphytic. Cyrtopodiums are popularly known as the Cowhorn Orchid because of their cigar-shaped, fleshy pseudobulbs. A mass of pseudobulbs can grow up to 1.5 meters across and an individual inflorescence can produce more than 500 flowers. Sepals are pale yellow-green and spotted with purple. Petals are a brighter yellow than the sepals and have fewer, smaller markings. The lip is reddish brown with orange markings in the center.