Eulophia speciosa small sepals

Small, green sepals can be seen on the younger flowers near the top of this Eulophia speciosa flower spike. Where the backs of mature flowers lower down are turned, it isn’t even certain that the sepals are still there, but they usually twist right back behind the “real” flower. Elaborate curvature characterises the showy yellow petals and lip.

There are some green tinges on the pale columns of the flowers, protruding from the flower centres. The column is where the reproductive parts, including the stigma and pollinaria are housed.

The ovaries, serving as flower stalks as well, are thin and green. The ridges along the ovary surfaces become more pronounced and whitish when the thickly ovoid green fruits are formed and the flowers gone. Flowering happens from late winter to midsummer, the plant taking its time, blooming for about two months.

A large stand of these faintly fragrant yellow flowers presents an impressive sight. Speciosa (Latin) means beautiful or showy.

The flowers are pollinated by carpenter bees, if not by other insects as well, all duped by flowers that offer no nectar (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Pooley, 1988; Onderstall, 1984).