Status:
valid
Authors:
(Luer) Luer
Source:
wcs
Year:
1978
Citation Micro:
Selbyana 2: 196 (1978)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000945689
Common Names
- Dracula Polyphemus
- Polyphemus's Dracula Orchid
- Polyphemus's Orchid
Description
Dracula polyphemus (also called 'Polyphemus Dracula', among many other common names) is a species of orchid found in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. It is a small epiphytic orchid with a single leaf and a short inflorescence with up to three flowers. It is found in humid montane forests at elevations of 1500-3000 m.
Uses & Benefits
Dracula polyphemus is an ornamental plant that is used to add color and texture to gardens and landscapes. It is also used medicinally to treat digestive issues, headaches, and other ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The Dracula polyphemus flower is a small, yellowish-white, tubular flower. The seed is a small, black, ovoid nutlet. The seedlings are small and have a single cotyledon.
Cultivation and Propagation
Dracula polyphemus can be propagated from seed or by division of the clumps. It prefers a well-drained soil and partial shade. Water regularly during the growing season and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month. In the winter, reduce watering and fertilizing.
Where to Find Dracula polyphemus
Dracula polyphemus can be found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Species in the Dracula genus
Dracula antonii,
Dracula barrowii,
Dracula christineana,
Dracula deniseana,
Dracula maduroi,
Dracula mendozae,
Dracula nigritella,
Dracula sijmii,
Dracula tsubotae,
Dracula veleziana,
Dracula dens-canis,
Dracula saulii,
Dracula callithrix,
Dracula rojasii,
Dracula senex-furens,
Dracula erythrocodon,
Dracula immunda,
Dracula adrianae,
Dracula alcithoe,
Dracula amaliae,
Dracula andreettae,
Dracula anicula,
Dracula anthracina,
Dracula aphrodes,
Dracula astuta,
Dracula bella,
Dracula bellerophon,
Dracula benedictii,
Dracula berthae,
Dracula brangeri,
Dracula carcinopsis,
Dracula carlueri,
Dracula chestertonii,
Dracula chimaera,
Dracula chiroptera,
Dracula circe,
Dracula citrina,
Dracula cochliops,
Dracula cordobae,
Dracula cutis-bufonis,
Dracula dalessandroi,
Dracula dalstroemii,
Dracula decussata,
Dracula deltoidea,
Dracula diabola,
Dracula diana,
Dracula dodsonii,
Dracula erythrochaete,
Dracula exasperata,
Dracula fafnir,
Species in the Orchidaceae family
Aa fiebrigii,
Aa hartwegii,
Aa hieronymi,
Aa leucantha,
Aa lorentzii,
Aa macra,
Aa achalensis,
Aa maderoi,
Aa mandonii,
Aa matthewsii,
Aa microtidis,
Aa paleacea,
Aa argyrolepis,
Aa riobambae,
Aa rosei,
Aa schickendanzii,
Aa sphaeroglossa,
Aa trilobulata,
Aa weddelliana,
Aa aurantiaca,
Aa calceata,
Aa colombiana,
Aa denticulata,
Aa erosa,
Aa figueroi,
Aa lozanoi,
Aa lehmannii,
Acampe carinata,
Acampe cephalotes,
Acampe ochracea,
Acampe pachyglossa,
Acampe praemorsa,
Acampe joiceyana,
Acampe hulae,
Acanthophippium bicolor,
Acanthophippium chrysoglossum,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Acanthophippium eburneum,
Acanthophippium gougahense,
Acanthophippium javanicum,
Acanthophippium lilacinum,
Acanthophippium mantinianum,
Acanthophippium parviflorum,
Acanthophippium pictum,
Acanthophippium splendidum,
Acanthophippium striatum,
Acanthophippium sylhetense,
Acanthophippium curtisii,
Achlydosa glandulosa,
Acianthera aculeata,