Calling a monkey orchid for an orchid that grows only naturally in the mountain forests of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru did not require much imagination. The center of its flower is strikingly reminiscent of a small monkey's face, and nature has shown for the tenth time that it does not need the viewer. Usually it takes its jokes away from the human eye, and this orchid hides in the hard-to-reach mountain forests of South America.
Botanists wanted to avoid an obvious resemblance to its pet cousin, which is not at all elegant in the naming of the flower, hence its scientific name, Dracula gigas, which is thought to be two elongated petals resembling vampire teeth. Although the name given after the famous Transylvanian Earl is more appropriate for an aristocratic flower, these data, which are frequently encountered in his descriptions, are still incorrect. In the name of orchid, Dracula actually means "dragon", and several orchid species bear this name, including Dracula simia and the genus Dracula.
As is known today, more than 20,000 confusion in the names is justified and the true "monkey-like orchid" is just Platanthera integrilabia, whose flower is a small replica of the entire body and face of an ape. The name Dracula gigas was given by the botanist Luer in 1978, and more than 120 subspecies of this orchid have so far been detected, most of them in Ecuador. They grow year-round in fog-covered mountains at an altitude of 1000-2000 meters, without a special blooming season. It is very difficult to grow outside of its natural habitat. Rare specimens falling asleep in gardens and homes require special care, a cool and predominantly shady spot to reach the flowering stage.
Another wonder adorns the Dracula gigas orchid. The flower has a strong and pleasant scent, reminiscent of the smell of orange peel. Those who see it in nature claim that photographs cannot recall their beauty and uniqueness. A little further away from the fields where they grew up, you get the impression that a huge herd of little monkeys are watching you.
