An Orchid Only A Mother Can Love...
By Winston D. Munnings
23 Mar 2009
Since I started photographing flowers (orchids in particular) a few years ago, I've seen some very strange looking types. None, however, can top the likes of this native plant of Guinea and the Solomon Islands commonly referred to as the Grand Dendrobium.
Generally, the Dendrobium is a large genus of tropical orchids that consists of about 1200 species. The genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Zealand.
This Dendrobium species, however, has been something of a challenge to photograph. As I mentioned in a previous article about my style and approach in photographing flowers http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/2270, a major part of my approach is to study the subject flower from as many angles as possible before I take the shot.
The challenge for me was in determining how best to present this flower image to look as it has been described (exactly) by others. For my own part, when I first saw Dendrobium spectabile at an Orchid Show last year, I nearly freaked out. I remember saying to myself, "...Holy S_ _ _, what an ugly flower..." I thought the plant had rotted as all the flowers (at least to me) look deformed and, actually, quite dead. But according the grower of this Den species, this was Dendrobium spectabile and how it looks normally.
Remember the 1979 science fiction/horror film "...Alien..." starring Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt and Yaphet Kotto, to name a few? This was the first thing that came to mind when I first saw the flowers generated by this Dendrobium species. In fact, it looked like something very extraterrestrial.
I'm sure you have some thoughts of your own by now, but here's what others have said after an initial view of this flower:
"... The flowers from this Orchid resemble the offspring of a starfish that took LSD during pregnancy..."
"... It looks like an octopus on drugs..."
"... This is no flower. This is an alien presenting itself in 'Plant' form waiting to strike at some point in the future..."
Whatever you think, Dendrobium spectabile is no extraterrestrial and no alien in 'plant form' waiting to take over earth. It's ugly as hell, but Dendrobium spectabile is a warm growing species native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The 18 inch to 2 foot long canes produce masses of flowers that look like aliens from another world. The plant is easy to grow and flower if you follow the recommended cultural instructions. The flowers are long lasting and have a honey like scent.
3 responses
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Steven Lain gave props (28 Mar 2009):
Very cool and informative story. It's amazing how out-of-this world this orchid looks! Great job!
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Jason Pepe gave props (30 Mar 2009):
Enjoyed your excellent article and spectacular photographs of the Alien Orchid! Voted Yes!!
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katie seymour said (3 Apr 2009):
i love orchids, they are so expensive where i live though, so i get them once in a while.
very pretty though!
the colors are esquisite.
