Translated material
Monkey orchids
In the 70-80s of the 20th century, during scientific expeditions through the dense and inaccessible jungle of Ecuador, botanists managed to discover more than 120 new species of orchids. The most interesting and unusual of them were two species that immediately received the name monkey orchids .
It’s not difficult to guess why they were called that, to put it mildly. Flowers of the genus Dracula ( Dracula Orchidaceae ) have patterns that closely resemble the face of a monkey. And the Monkey Orchis ( Orchis simia ) plant has gone even further, its flowers not only resemble patterns, but also shape - they are a figurine of a small primate with legs, arms and even a muzzle.
This unusual plant does not really exist, and this amazing flower looks like the smiling face of a very small monkey. The scientific name of this very rare flower is "Dracula simia", hinting at its resemblance to the two long fangs of the famous vampire, and the second word means "monkey".
This flower grows only in the mountainous regions of Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, at an altitude of 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level, but there are a few collectors who have managed to grow it at home.
This is not a seasonal plant, and in its natural habitat it can bloom at any time. Its striking resemblance to a monkey's face is very surprising, but this flower also smells wonderful, reminiscent of the aroma of a ripe orange. It's strange that it's not a banana, isn't it?
Dracula orchids were identified as a separate genus in 1978 by the famous American botanist Luer. This genus includes 120 species of orchids.
In addition to the jungles of South America, monkey orchis can also be found in Western Europe, North Africa, in the mountainous regions of the Middle East, Crimea, and Turkmenistan. Mandatory conditions for it are shade, high humidity, and a temperature of about 25 degrees. The flowers give off a rather pungent and not very pleasant smell, which is why they are rarely bred at home.
