The genus Dracula belongs to the tribe Epidendreae, subtribe Pleurothalidinae, being described by Carlyle August Luer in 1978, who named this genus after the Latin word for dragon (draco), as a reference to the bizarre appearance of the flowers. Luer (August 23, 1922 – November 9, 2019) was an American botanist specializing in the family Orchidaceae, with a special interest in Pleurothallidinae (genus Pleurothallis) and species of related genera. He was senior curator of the Missouri Botanical Garden, publishing numerous articles and two volume works on orchid taxonomy.

Among the popular names attributed to representatives of the genus, there are also: vampire orchids, monkey orchids, dragon orchids.

The species of the genus Dracula are presented as plants with variable sizes, from a few centimeters in height, to medium height, standing out for the flowers with an impressive appearance in terms of shape and color. Prior to the systematic classification made by Luer, which included the species of the genus Dracula in a separate group, they belonged to the genus Masdevallia , with which they are related and similar from many points of view . Currently, more than 90 species belonging to this genus are known, most of them with a central American distribution, in the humid forests of Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

The species of the genus Dracula have short stems, with sudden, erect rhizomes, on which single leaves are inserted, with a fragile texture, on which an obvious central vein can be distinguished. The unique flowers, on long stems, drooping to erect drooping, impress with their special color and strong contrasts, which emphasize the strange anatomy of the corolla. Although the flowers are unique, the flower stalks tend to produce flowers successively, sometimes even 5-6 for the same inflorescence.

The most significant aspect of the floral anatomy is rendered by the presence of long, filiform appendages at the terminal end of the 3 sepals. In the basal area, the short petals show granulations that suggest a pair of eyes, the mask appearance being completed by the presence of the column, which looks like a nose. Dracula species enjoy many admirers, there are currently a large number of species and hybrids in culture, the most appreciated being Dracula vampira, Dracula chimaera, Dracula bella, Dracula gorgona and Dracula simia. The World List of Monocots currently includes 124 accepted taxa, including 2 natural hybrids.

From the point of view of the growing conditions, the species of the genus Dracula will prefer temperatures that rather belong to the cool register, which can go up to the intermediate one, because at high temperatures, the plants tend to dry quickly. As a thermal average, daytime temperatures will be in the area of ​​18-25 degrees Celsius. Night values ​​can drop to 12-14 degrees Celsius. The presence of higher temperatures can be compensated by more abundant irrigation, and by administering frequent sprays. The species do not tolerate wide temperature fluctuations very well, which is why it is important that the temperature at the level of the leaves remains as constant as possible.

The light radiation values ​​are located in the moderate light area, with 60% shading, protected from the direct action of the sun's rays, ideally with an eastern or southern exposure. The absence of adequate values ​​of light radiation can slow down the flowering process, at which point it is recommended to expose the plants to more intense light. The appearance of brown or yellow spots on the leaves can indicate the presence of sunburn, which can ultimately lead to the loss of the plants, if not intervened by placing them in shadier locations. As a general rule, the light radiation values ​​for species of the genus Dracula are similar to those for the genus Phalaenopsis, namely 10,000 - 18,000 lux.

The complete drying of the substrate will never be allowed in the case of species of the Dracula genus, as the plants can succumb in the absence of water within a few hours. Overwatering does not constitute an impediment affecting species of the Dracula genus, as it is possible to administer water every morning, to allow the plants to absorb and metabolize it during the day, the essential condition being the presence of light. The water will be administered until its leakage is observed through the lower holes of the pot, or by immersion, until the presence of emerging air bubbles is no longer observed.

The relative humidity will remain high, with values ​​between 70% and 100%.

Fertilizers will be administered diluted, at values ​​of 25-50% compared to the concentration indicated on the package. Frequent submersion of the pots with culture medium will be carried out to eliminate possible salt deposits, as species of the genus Dracula are extremely susceptible to mineral accumulations.

The culture will be carried out in baskets or pots with many large perforations, or pots with bars, and sphagnum moss can be successfully used as a medium, either as such or mixed with perlite and coconut fibers. An alternative can be represented by planting on plates of bark, hard wood or cork, wrapped in net, with an addition of sphagnum moss, but this method will require much more abundant and frequent irrigation, to compensate for the much faster evaporation of water. The culture medium can be changed every 2 years, in early spring, to allow the plants to stabilize until early summer.

Dracula species do not require variations in growing conditions or rest periods, the cultivation scheme being the same throughout the year.

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