Maxillaria cucullata
Object Details
- Description
- This small orchid is likely pollinated by stingless bees which are attracted to its flower’s shiny lip. Unfortunately for the bees, there is no nectar in this orchid’s flower; the shiny flower lip is just a deception to attract them.
- Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
- August to May; peaks in September and October
- Pollination Syndrome
- Likely bee
- Provenance
- From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
- Range
- Mexico to C America
- Habitat
- dense, humid forests, cloud forest, coffee plantations; 2300-10825ft (700-3300m)
- Topic
- Orchids
- Living Collections
- See more items in
- Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
- Data Source
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Accession Number
- 2015-1256B
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Common Name
- Brown Friars
- The Cowl Carrying Maxillaria
- Group
- [vascular plants]
- Class
- Equisetopsida
- Subclass
- Magnoliidae
- Superorder
- Lilianae
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Subfamily
- Epidendroideae
- Genus
- Maxillaria
- Species
- cucullata
- Life Form
- Epiphytic
- Bloom Characteristics
- Erect inflorescence is 5-15" (7.5-37 cm) long with a single yellow flower with a red overlay that does not open fully. Flower is 1.5-3.5" (4-9 cm) across.
- Fragrance
- Fragrant
- Plant Size
- 8-14" x 2-3" (20-36 x 5-8 cm)
- Metadata Usage
- CC0
- Record ID
- ofeo-sg_2015-1256B