[Gongora]

This is an interesting orchid. it is out of the same group of Maxillaria’s that include Max.punctostriata, Max.meleagris & Max.cullculata. These usually have a reddish back ground with darker spots & strips in varying patterns also a very fleshy lip which tends to be tongue like in appearance and much darker than the rest of the flower. There are also overlapping ancipitous bracts on the spike that are always evident on this group. The inflorescence arise from the base of the new growth usually to a height of about 3 or 4 inches. The leaves tend to be long and strap like and the bulbs compressed and tightly packed together Max. schunkeana is a far smaller growing orchid morphologically than any of this group. And variabilis is different yet again. As to the name of this one I have no Idea unless it is an extremely dark form of Max. cullculata possible but I think not likely.And finally would I like to get my hands on one of these ABOLUTLEY