Zootrophion niveum

The genus name, Zootrophion, refers to the cage-like shape of the flowers in this genus with their little "windows."  The species name, niveum, refers to their color or lack thereof.  This particular species is from Ecuador and is one of the smaller species in the genus.  The plant is less than 15 cm and the flowers are about 4 cm in size, usually two per growth.

Zootrophion endresianum

This interesting orchid species was purchased as Zootrophion gracilentum, but I am pretty certain that is not that species. The description of Zootrophion endresianum fits this species better.

The plant is about 20 cm tall and freely produces its strange and interesting flowers during the summer. The flowers are about 3 cm in size and only open little "windows" in the sides of the flower, through which the pollinating insect must crawl.

The name Zootrophion refers to the cage-like shape of the flowers with their little "windows." The name endresianum refers to a German orchid collector of the 19th century.  The species is from Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia and tolerates a wide range of temperatures. It is considered by some to be synonymous with Zootrophion hypodiscus.

Zootrophion vulturiceps

This orchid species is from Costa Rica and, like all the Zootrophions, only opens a small window in the side of the flower for the pollinating insect.

This particular species is name for the "vulture-headed" appearance of the flowers.  The plant is about 15 cm tall and the flowers about 3 cm in size.