epigeneium-amplum

The small genus Epigeneium includes approximately 40 species of tiny , lively ,''cultivation friendly '' orchids . The appearance of E.ampulam makes the species perfect for amateur collections,but it is very rare (even more so than the related E. coelogyne). The plants have bifoliate oval pseudobulbs growing sparsely on a trailing rhizome . Their size does not exceed 2 in / 5 cm ,the elongated leaves are twice as long at the most . The gigantic flowers reach the size of up to 4 in/ 10 cm across and are produced one by one from the apics of the pseudobulbs on short flower spikes. Their basic color is greenish -yellow ,which is ,however , almost completely covered with lengthwise -elongated ,brown -and - purple spots. The lip is deep purple . Cultivation is easy -the specied thrives if mounted on a wooden slab and placed in sufficient moist semi-shade . It blooms irregularly, usually in the fall -October and November . It is known to grow in the medium altitudes of modern Burma and Thailand.