Polystachya pubescens inflorescence

The inflorescence of Polystachya pubescens grows erectly from the top of a pseudobulb, usually taller than the leaves also emerging from there. Several inflorescences may be present at bloomtime as large clumps of pseudobulbs tend to form.

The unbranched flower spike becomes about 25 cm long. It bears from seven to twenty flowers. The floral bracts subtending the flowers are small, from 3 mm to 6 mm long. They are ovate to narrowly lanceolate in shape with acutely pointed tips. Notable pubescence (hairiness) is visible in the photo upon the green ovaries of the flowers and the stem.

Flowering happens any time from late winter to early autumn, but mostly from mid-spring to early summer (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; www.orchidspecies.com).