Orthochilus odontoglossus inflorescence

An Orthochilus odontoglossus inflorescence may become 15 cm long, comprising 10 to 30 flowers. The plant photographed probably exceeds that range. The stem is covered in overlapping, dry, straw coloured sheaths. There are small bracts below each flower in the spike as well.

The two to three stiffly erect and grass-like leaves, produced with the annual flower stem, grow from 10 cm to 28 cm long and 1 cm wide. They are partly to fully grown at bloomtime, which commences in spring, but may continue as late as early autumn (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).