What kind of plant is the monkey face orchid? A strange orchid whose flowers closely resemble a monkey's face

Other names for the monkey face orchid

Monkey face orchid

Morphological characteristics of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid is a small epiphytic orchid with short creeping stems, 30-40 cm tall, and stout, hollow stems. The leaves are opposite and decussate, broadly ovate. Roots form at the nodes where it lies on the ground. Broadly ovate, nearly as long as wide, slightly narrower in the upper part. The leaves are obovate-lanceolate.

The inflorescence is a sparse raceme; the flowers are opposite in the leaf axils, funnel-shaped, yellow, usually with purplish red blotches or spots. The pedicels emerge from the base, and the sepals and petals merge into three lobes, with the lip in the center.

The petals look especially like a small monkey, so it is also called the monkey face orchid, and it is very cute.

Growth habits of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid requires a cool growing environment and is afraid of intense heat, making it difficult to get through summer, and it is not tolerant of frost or cold either. 10°C-25°C is the suitable cultivation temperature. In warmer southern regions, it can be placed outdoors in semi-shade all year or grown in plastic greenhouses; in the Yangtze River basin or areas to the north, it should be cultivated in intermediate-temperature or high-temperature greenhouses. In late autumn, winter, and early spring, when temperatures are not very high, direct sunlight should be given to help the plant form flower buds, bloom, and set seed. If high-temperature weather occurs or in summer, humidity should be increased and shade nets used to lower the temperature; when the temperature is below 10°C, it should be kept warm and heated.

Main value of the monkey face orchid

The monkey face orchid has strong branching, unusual and large flowers, rich flower colors in many places, and good tolerance to moisture and shade. It is mostly used for potted cultivation, hanging baskets, or hanging basket cultivation, and is very suitable for green decoration in places such as in front of windows in homes, on balcony walls, in shop windows of commercial buildings, and at exhibition hall entrances. It is full of vitality and naturally relaxed.

Flower language of the monkey face orchid

The splendid transformation of the senior brother