helcia-sanquinolenta

The miniature genus Helcia includes only two species that resemble Trichopilia orchids. A difference can be found in the flat flower lip with an unfolded base. H.sanquinolenta is better -known and cultivated more oftern. It is a fairly small plant with large flowers . Its pseudobulbs are elongated and egg-shaped ,they reach lengths of no more than 1.6 in /4 cm and they are ended with a sigle small egg-shaped leaf. The flower spikes bear single yellow-and -green flowers that are up to 2.8 in/7 cm across and have a whitish lip adorned with a crimson marking . The epiphytic species H .sanquinolenta comes from higher elevations of the Andes and should therefore be grown in the same way as the cryophilic Odontoglossum orchids. It blooms in January and February and was found in Colombia and Ecuador.