Crocodeilanthes orchid

Wonderful Crocodeilanthes orchid. This name is a genus published in 2006 by Luer, that contains some of 70 formerly Pleurothallis/Stelis species, found mainly in South America but a few of them are also found in Costa Rica and Panama montane forests. (still many people call them as Pleurothallis, and some others will name them as Stelis. The more up to date, but not generalized, is C.) This kind of orchid is epiphyte, but it is very common to find them growing on the ground, mainly because in the humid forest the trunks where the orchids are attached, easily get too heavy, get rotten or bitten by insects, and the plants will keep growing directly in the soil (leaves, trunks, mosses, etc) which is rich on nutrients. That fact doesnt mean they are terrestrials, as most of time they dont have their roots in direct contact with the lower layers of the soil, and mycorrhiza will only take action on organic compost, not directly on the earth.

It's likely that many epiphytes started out as terrestrials...I've seen several species in the wild growing in the ground near the same species in the trees...lycaste comes to mind. But, whatever...it is a great looking Pluerothallis!

You're right Clare, it doesn't look like a typical terrestrial but I'm always open to surprises when it comes to orchids! Quite a few generally epiphytic orchid species also grow perfectly happily on the ground, with their roots in the airy, moss & humus layer, and the opposite goes too for some so called terrestrials. Pleurothallis is something like the second biggest genus in the family, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if some where more terrestrial than epiphytic though.

Fantastico...doesn't seem like a terrestrial orchid though

Beautiful!

Now this is awesome. Fantastic orchid!

Just noticed it seems to be terrestrial too. Did you see any others of the same species in the area? Much as I love plants Jemma, I'd hotly contest there being any such thing as plant intelligence. Selection pressure does throw up some super crazy things given enough time though :)

WOW what a beautiful and unusual orchid. The flowers look like little faces. Great spotting Dan!

another case of plant intelligence?

Pollinating spiders? I've got to see that!

Great way to attract spiders to pollinate them. :-P

WOW!! Amazing, looks exactly like flies, when I first saw the spotting that is what I thought I was looking at. Thank you for sharing, dandoucette.

This is another interesting orchid.

Wonderful! Never saw this before.

Beautiful capture Dan,congrats and thanks for sharing

Great spot never see something like this one !

What an extraordinary orchids! Very interesting how they are mimicking flies!