Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: The Bent Gomesa, The Bent Oncidium

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Oncidium flexuosum

Distribution: E and S Brazil to NC Argentina

Habitat: Coastal mountains, along creeks and marshes; 0-3940ft (0-1200m)

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): Year round; peaks from May to September

Bloom characteristics: Erect inflorescence is up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long with 4-10 branches that can be up to 12" (30 cm) long, and have secondary branches. Earch zig zagging branch can have up to 10 yellow flowers. Flowers are .75-1.5" (2-3 cm) across.

Pollination syndrome: Bee

Description: This small to medium sized orchid can bloom so densely that its clouds of yellow flowers can be seen from hundreds of feet away in the wild.

Comments: Gomesa flexuosa