A Giant Among Orchids: Grammatophyllum speciosum

Grammatophyllum speciosum blooming outdoors at the Kawamoto Orchid Nursery on Oahu, Hawaii.  This species can grow up to ten feet tall and grows quite bushy if grown warm.  The species is found in a variety of tropical countries including Myanamar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands!

Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Paphiopedilum bellatulum, a lovely orchid  native to Assam, India, Myanamar, Thailand, and theYunnan Province of China where it is typically found in dense shade growing on limestone crevices in leaf litter and moss.   The weight of the typically single, heavy, waxy flower causes the stem to droop down towards the ground, ostensibly allowing ants to pollinate the flower.