catasetum macrocarpum

The orchids of the genus Catasetum are very unusual plants indeed,for flowers on a single plant assume two entirely different forms -male and female . Catasetum macrocarpum is a robust orchid forming spindle-shaped pseudoblubs ,which bear several lanceolate deciduous leaves during growth . A cluster of flowers grows out of the base of a pseudobulb,assumes a length of up to 18 in/ 45 cm (hence the Latin name of the species ) and bears 3-10 flowers that are turned in the opposite direction. Their green -yellow lip is enclosed like a helmet, convex and dark on the inside. The male flowers are decorated with feeler like pendants , the female flowers are yellow on the inside of the lip . Cultivation is not very complicated and should include sufficient nutrition and watering during the period of growth., followered by a cooler and drier period of rest. C. macrocarpum can be grown epiphytically , or in baskets or flowerpots . The flowers appear in late summer and in the fall. The species grows in the large tropical area of South and Central America .