A new Coryanthes verrucolineata

I am excited to add this interesting beauty to my two Colmanaras. This is a fascinating orchid!

 

It measures 5 inches by 3 1/2. The next Coryanthes that I am thinking about getting is the fieldingii. But I like the verrucolineata because of the opening at the "front" of the flower. In the wild bees are drawn into the flower's self-produced bath of nectar and because it is sticky they are forced out this front opening; the bee then repeats this process of bathing and crawling out of this frontal opening and, during this second passby the Coryanthes is pollinated and (as you likely know) produces seeds. I am also fascinated by the fact that Coryanthes are often found in the wild with ants living in a mound they build over the geometrical tubers: The acidic ant droppings then become a fertilizer for the Coryanthes.

 

In other words, while phalaenopsis are pretty, Coryanthes are just too cool! To me the natural processes that I outlined above add a good deal to the beauty of this orchid genus.