Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cottonia peduncularis

Also known as the bee orchid, it is found in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka and blooms during February and March with a very long and thin inflorescence that is branched at the apex and carries short lived flowers so much so that only two flowers are open at a time. The petals and sepals are reflexed backwards and the lip resembles a bee. The thin inflorescence bobs under the weight of the flower creating an impression of a flying bee.













5 comments:

  1. Where did you get this plant? I saw these in bloom in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary.

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  2. In Wynad. I think it is fairly common in the Western Ghats though not in large numbers.

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  3. Sigh! it has been a while since I visited Wayanad. Will make a trip soon and hope to keep away from the leeches :)

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  4. Leeches wouldn't be present after the monsoons unless it is at very high elevations. You should visit Silent Valley and take one of their nature trails.

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  5. Wow! sounds exciting. Thank you for the suggestion.

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