Peristeria elata (Holy Ghost Orchid)

Peristeria elata - a botanical species found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, at shaded edges of meadows and on rocky outcrops in moist tropical forests, at altitudes between 100 and 700 meters. This large orchid grows in conditions ranging from moderate to intense warmth, being a terrestrial or rock-dwelling plant, with large, ovoid or conical pseudobulbs, grouped and covered at the base by overlapping sheaths.

It blooms in summer on a basal, rigid, and upright flower stalk up to 135 cm long, bearing between 10 and 20 bell-shaped, nearly spherical, and waxy flowers that appear on new growth and open as the pseudobulb matures, but before the leaves fall. The flowers open one after another over a long period and have a strong citrus scent, being waxy and cup-shaped.

This is the national flower of Panama and is commonly known as the “Dove Orchid” or “Holy Ghost Orchid” - the shape of the flower seems to show a dove sitting in a nest.

Leaves show defects.

Flower size: approx. 3-4 cm

Fragrant flowers: YES