Home Flower Identifier Flower Details
Monkey Orchid
🌸

Monkey Orchid

Dracula simia

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameMonkey Orchid
DescriptionExtraordinary orchid featuring flowers with an uncanny resemblance to a monkey's face, complete with two 'eyes,' a 'nose,' and a 'mouth' formed by the arrangement of petals and lip. Native to high-elevation cloud forests of Central and South America, these cool-growing epiphytes produce sequential blooms on pendant stems. Many species emit mushroom-like scents to attract fungus gnats for pollination, while the bizarre facial appearance has made them highly sought after by orchid collectors worldwide.
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusDracula
TribeEpidendreae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ P3+3 A1 G(3)

Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (3 sepals + 3 petals with one modified into lip), 1 stamen fused with style forming column, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary typical of Orchidaceae

Features
  • Name 'Dracula' means 'little dragon' in Latin, referring to the fang-like spurs on the flowers, not the monkey-face appearance. Genus named by orchid expert Carlyle Luer in 1978. The species 'simia' means monkey-like, describing the anthropomorphic flower structure
  • Flowers feature three large sepals that form the 'face,' with two petals creating 'eyes' and the lip forming a 'mouth.' Sepals often have long tails and are covered in fine hairs. Colors range from white to deep maroon with intricate spotting and veining
  • Epiphytic perennial that grows from short rhizomes without pseudobulbs. Blooms sequentially throughout the year in ideal conditions, with each flower lasting 2-4 weeks. Flowers emerge from base of plant on pendant stems, often opening successively
  • Compact plants grow 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall with thin, grass-like leaves. Individual flowers measure 2-6 inches across depending on species. Lifespan of 5-15 years with proper care. Propagated by division or from seed
  • Native to cloud forests of Central and South America, particularly Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, at elevations of 1,000-2,500 meters. Found growing on moss-covered trees in cool, misty conditions with constant high humidity
  • Requires cool temperatures (50-70°F/10-21°C), high humidity (70-90%), and shade to filtered light. Must be kept constantly moist but with excellent air circulation. Best grown mounted on tree fern or in hanging baskets with sphagnum moss
  • Many species emit mushroom or fungus-like scents to attract fungus gnats as pollinators, a form of deceptive pollination. Challenging to grow outside specialized greenhouses. Highly prized by collectors for their bizarre, face-like flowers

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificDracula simia
English (Alternate)Dracula Orchid, Monkey Face Orchid, and Little Dragon Orchid
Hindiबंदर ऑर्किड (Bandar Orkiḍ)
Tamilகுரங்கு ஆர்க்கிட் (Kuraṅku Ārkiṭ)
Teluguకోతి ఆర్కిడ్ (Kōti Ārikiḍ)
Malayalamകുരങ്ങന്‍ ഓർക്കിഡ് (Kuraṅṅan‍ Ōrkiḍ)
Kannadaಕಪಿ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (Kapi Ārkiḍ)
Sanskritवानरमुखपुष्पम् (Vānaramukhapuṣpam)
Bengaliবাঁদর অর্কিড (Bāndar arkiḍa)
Frenchorchidée singe
Russianорхидея-обезьяна (orkhideya-obezyana)
Spanishorquídea cara de mono
GermanAffengesicht-Orchidee

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.