Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Fletcher's Bulbophyllum, Spies' Bulbophyllum, Tongue Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Bulbophyllum spiesii

Distribution: New Guinea

Habitat: Cliff faces, riverine thickets in savannahs; 250-800m

Life form: Lithophytic

Bloom characteristics: Erect inflorescence is short with 20-30 flowers. Flowers are .75" across, but are covered in bracts that can be 1.8" long.

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): January to May

Fragrance: Rotten meat

Pollination syndrome: Blowflies, carrion beetles

Foliage characteristics: Dark green leaves can be up to 6' long.

Description: This is one of the largest orchid species in the world, with leaves that can grow to over 6 feet long. The flowers of this orchid are not particularly large, but do produce a powerful stink to attract the blowflies and carrion beetles which are its pollinators. The fragrance has been imaginatively described in many ways, but suffice to say, it stinks.