Eulophia coddii inflorescence

The inflorescence of Eulophia coddii is a lax spike bearing from 6 to 16 flowers. The green buds, in picture still compactly together and erect at the tip of the spike, soon nod as they open. The resupinate flowers also twist around, positioning the lip that started at the top in the bud, at the base of the open flower.

The outer sepal surfaces turn olive green and brown in a covering of fine, scattered speckles, as they do on the inside. The yellow petals do not open as widely as the spreading sepals.

Small, pointed stem leaves are visible in the photo, spaced and spiralling up the stem; also continuing as bracts, one below each flower. Low down they are withered already on the plant in picture, twisting in all directions, while at the top the green bracts still fold protectively over the emerging buds (iSpot; www.orchidspecies.com).