Belizeˇs
national flower is the
Black Orchid. The
flower is actually not
black at all but purple
in color. It is one of
the few Orchids that
flowers all year long,
maybe this is why it is
the National flower.
Black Orchid;
Prosthechea cochleata,
formerly known as
Encyclia cochleata,
Anacheilium cochleatum,
and Epidendrum
cochleatum is an
epiphytic, sympodial New
World orchid native to
Central America, the
West Indies, Colombia,
Venezuela, and southern
Florida.Each oblong
discoid pseudobulb bears
one or two linear
nonsucculent leaves.
The flowers are unusual
in that though the
labellum is usually
below the column in the
orchids, in the members
of Prosthechea the
labellum forms a "hood"
over the column.
This makes the flower
effectively upside down,
or non-resupinate.
Whereas the species
usually has one anther,
Prosthechea cochleata
var. triandra is an
endangered variety that
has three anthers and is
autogamous, allowing its
existence in Florida
where no appropriate
pollinators appear to be
present.
P. cochleata is common
in cultivation, and is
valued for its uniquely
shaped and long-lasting
flowers on continually
growing racemes. Several
hybrids have been
produced with this
species, including the
popular Prosyclia Green
Hornet.(still often
listed as Encyclia Green
Hornet)
Prosthechea cochleata is
the national flower of
Belize, where it is
known as the Black
Orchid
The
Cow Horn Orchid (SCHOMBURGKIA
Tibicinis) has a huge
hollow pseudo bulb that
provides space for ants
to nest who in return
provide protection. The
peduncle which can reach
up to 10 feet long grows
about 20 brightly
colored flowers.
The
Cow Horn Orchid is often
seen in the mangrove and
in
the low Pine Ridge area.
is very capable of
enduring hardship,can
grow in the burning sun,
hanging on the air,
soaking in the water, or
even in the muddy
ground
