Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Dancing Ladies orchid

Oncidium sp.

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-19.9426, -43.9177

Field Notes

Description:

small yellow flower, large lip.
flower spike about 5' tall

Habitat:

transition zone between cerrado and atlantic coast rainforest

Notes:

I have grown this orchid in my closet before under florescent lights. It was really cool to see it thriving in the wild. It was growing right along a trail in Parque do Caraca.

Reference Links:

Oncidium

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
rutasandinas
Hermosa orquidea por favor agregala ala mission Orchids of the World http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/9525140
Steffi
Oh wow that is breathtaking! To see such beauty growing in its natural home must have been amazing!
Dan Doucette
Yes, I know O. papilio. It is really cool. I've seen them at orchid shows and the greenhouse area of my work.
ceherzog
Have you ever heard the Oncidiums called Dancing Ladies? Do you know Oncidium papilio? About Onc. papilio: . Pollinated by a species of South American butterfly, the flowers resemble the female of the species and the male butterflies effect pollination while attempting to mate with it (pseudocopulation). The production of individual flowers “hovering” well-above the foliage further enhances the butterfly mimicry.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flowers of South America

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMay 31, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies