The orchid genus Dracula, abbreviated as Drac in horticultural trade, consists of 118 species. The strange name Dracula, literally means “little dragon”, referring to the strange aspect of the two long spurs of the sepals.
The Dracula genus has some of the more bizarre and well-known species of the subtribe Pleurothallidinae. The species which comprise this genus are among the most highly prized of all orchids in horticulture for their ever blooming habit and their large, bizzare, and colorful flowers.
These epiphytic and terrestrial species are distributed in Central America and the northwest Andes, almost half in Ecuador alone. They prefer shadow and an even, rather cold, temperature. Read more…
Pictured above are three species of Dracula orchids: D. Vampira (Top), D. Chiroptera (Left), and D. Venosa (Right)
Ah, the flowers of Minas Morgul
