Openings: Coryanthes alborosea

Coryanthes alborosea red form flowering at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

This vibrantly spotted and spattered orchid is one of the siblings of the Coryanthes alborosea that I photographed last week. The seedlings, which are now flowering for the first time, are the result of a selfing of the red splashed color variant. A small percentage of the seedlings look like their parent.

This is a plant that leaves me awestruck. If you tried to describe it to a friend what would you say? Do you think anyone would believe you?