Orthochilus vinosus buds in a bract

This dense cluster of Orthochilus vinosus buds, preparing to blossom, at this stage show more of the protective layer around them than of themselves. No great height is achieved here before the flowers are presented, visible just above the rock where the plant lives.

The pale green bract has a couple of stem leaves below it, all folding snugly around each other and sheathing over the very short flowering stem that is completely hidden by the foliage. The bract has parallel longitudinal ridges or ribs along its soft textured surface. The leaves and bracts both have acutely pointed tips, formed by their tapering, entire margins (iSpot; www.orchidspecies.com).