Eulophia cucullata pale inflorescence

The inflorescence of Eulophia cucullata consists of a lax spike bearing three to fifteen large flowers. In the photo the three sepals are bent back very far in a cluster above the narrow, twisted ovary of each flower.

The flowers have pale colouring, apart from the sepals and the base of the lip where it sinks into the spur cavity. Some yellow is visible on the outside of the flower spur tips in picture, bulging below the base of each lip.

Some flowers of this species are sweetly fragrant, others not at all. The specific name, cucullata, is a Latin word meaning hood-like or cowl-like.

Flowering happens in spring to midsummer (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).