#monkey orchid

[wenbochenphoto]

Naked man orchid and monkey orchid in southern Albania.

[nevernoneart]

DAY 27: BEAST - This is Dracula Simia, also known as the Monkey Orchid. It is an endangered orchid that is native to Ecuador. Apparently its scent is similar to ripe oranges.

Orchidaceae are a huge group of flowering plants. In fact, the number of orchid species is greater than the number of bird species and far greater than the number of mammal species. There are still new orchids being discovered all the time.

The character is based on Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King. I wanted to do a teenager version, with references to my earlier tiger fae. I’m really trying to push myself to do new poses, not sure how successful I’ve been!

[youneedone2]

Monkey Orchid by Jeremy Holden

[turnipot]

[facts4u2know]

You Looking at Me?

[goose-duck]

♡Flower: Monkey Orchid

Science: Dracula simia, known also as the monkey-like Dracula, is an epiphytic orchid originally described as part of the genus Masdevallia, but later reclassified as part of genus Dracula. The arrangement of column, petals and lip resembles a monkey's face.

Symbolism: Friendship, affection, strength, and resilience.

Fun Fact: Monkey orchid is a perennial orchid and it has a very long life of many years. However, a plant starts to flower after 7 years of its germination requiring the owners to be patient to see the monkey faced flowers. But once it starts to flower, you can expect the plant to flower every year for nearly 19 years.

Can you eat it?: No, monkey orchids are not edible and can be toxic to humans.

[neuromangler]

Orchis simia

[arctic-hands]

Why did monkey orchids evolve to look like That?