Oncidium hastilabium

A spectacular ,largish species that is impossible to overlook . For a long time ,it was incorrectly classified as an Odontoglossum orchid . The egg-shaped pseudobulbs of this epiphytic plant reach lengths of 8 in /20 cm and bear on their apices 1-2 elongated leaves that are up to 8 in / 20 cm tall . They nearly erect flower spike reaches a length of 30 in /75 cm at the most . The showy flowers resemble representatives of the above -mentioned mother genus both in shape and appearace . Their short ,pointed tepals are greenish and mainly from the bottom to the middle adorned with conspicuous crosswise stripes and spots that range in color from chocolate -brown to wine red. The end of the lip is white and hear-shaped with a purple base. The species has no special cultivation requirements . It will do better in a potted epiphytic substrate than on a support . It blooms in early spring and comes from the foothills of the Colombian Andes .