Flickr/Dick Culbert
The Dracula simian is an epiphytic orchid which, due to its features, is more commonly referred to as the monkey face orchid. The beautiful and strangely lifelike orchids can only be found in the southern Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forests between elevations of 1,000 and 2,000 metres. These rare orchids are part of a family of 120 species and are difficult to cultivate at home, although some have managed. They are not season specific and therefore can flower at any time of year. They fragrance smells strongly of ripe oranges, which is a shame as bananas may be more appropriate. To see a huge photo collection of these wonderful flowers Monkey Orchids flickr album.
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