![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqL7GPjsJ3Qy4FhXxusi3PLu7hAtvqfGm5h1hi-J0-jSDz35QxiA9HiwzqXkvfanQth1yz_FMRtFTdMYYxNkMUVyzwwHizoeBBEM-YyOEe9LkIRvcYt80qTML7jTWOlxomMDOoajdj1k/s1600/Dec+2012+033+copy.jpg) |
Mormodes oberlanderiana ABG# 05-1060 flowering at the Fuqua Orchid Center |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAose7_PIH3dv7iLiwG1dwdss8zi83D27I0RAlDjeZsBs2ljC4yjKo7VlHGhfLuiI3KknWc-33Cx0fsxIRgA4SgqF8572i2a2pwR6L_avE_QfF54MPTgjmd_5dyRLCduu7McG571RMQxE/s1600/Dec+2012+005+copy.jpg) |
A bee's eye view of the twisted column of Mormodes oberlanderiana. The shiny surface of the stigma is visible on the underside of the column. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLrW3bz81RJPWy3bVICbPSAqF84xnTB7pEeY6J3pEy9JywTIJd-VWqtXPl62tFav3q6CwF52uCQBON53-yYyUDh2nk-JJ3GjwdjUk1-MxFFs-o9zpnE37GIs4omdfyrV4S3O1xdoAhNI/s1600/Dec+2012+022+copy.jpg) |
From behind the flower you can see that the lip is twisted also. The angle of the lip and column creates a characteristic placement of the pollinarium on the bee's thorax. When the bee enters a female flower the pollinia are in the correct position to be placed on the stigma. |
The last of our four
Mormodes species flowering this week is
Mormodes oberlanderiana. I have to admit that I completely missed the subtle but gorgeous coloration of these flowers until I saw them in the morning light through my camera lens. What a beauty. Of the four species this one has, in my opinion, the most captivating fragrance.
Mormodes oberlanderiana is native to Colombia and northwest Venezuela where it grows as an epiphyte.
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