Dove Orchid Flowers

Type of Flower 

Dove Orchid: 

Dove Orchid ( Peristeria elata ) is a genus of plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae commonly called Dove Orchid or Holy Ghost Orchid. In line with the common name, the genus' name is from the Greek word peristerion meaning "from dove". According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Per is the official orchid abbreviation for this genus. 

Dove orchid is the national flower of Panama and is extremely over-collected in its native habitat. This over collection has led to its status as a species threatened with extinction delineated in Appendix I of CITES. In its native habitat.

The Dove Orchid grows pretty close to the edges of hardwood forests and in the autumn, after leaves have fallen, can get the full sun throughout the cool, dry winter months. It’s long pleated leaves rest atop large round pseudo bulbs when mature and can almost reach the size of a softball. The flower spikes grow from the base of the bulb and can be up to 2 meters in length. The flower itself appears as brilliant white in color with a hard waxy texture and can span 2 inches in width with a blooming period of about 3 to 7 days each and depending on how many buds are on the stem can continue blooming for a few months. It is reported to have a spice like scent that is strongest in mid day and apparently can be quite heady and appealing. 

If you look to the center of the flower in the photo below, you will see how the column and lip combine to form a "dove" looking right back at you and this feature results in the common name of Dove Orchid, now how cool is that?

Notes:
http://www.gardenoffriendship.org/gardening/articles/vol0709gardnb.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristeria_(orchid)