Dracula (orchid)

The genus Dracula (from the Latin: dragon) contains some of the more bizarre and well known members of the Pleurothallidinae sub-tribe of the orchid family. There are over 100 species found in Central America and the northwest Andes, almost half in Ecuador alone. They were once included in the genus Masdevallia and have large, thin, keeled leaves and long tailed flowers that are basically triangular with extraordinary hinged lips.

Below are a few examples of the genus:

• D. amaliae
• D. bella
• D. gigas
• D. vampira