Some of our favorite “zoological” orchid specimens all clumped together in a flighty run of birds and bees. I don’t think we’re trumpeting these in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory like we are Darwin’s star and maybe even the vanilla orchid, but if I happen upon any, I’ll let you know! —MN

earthandscience:

Six amazing orchids that look like animals:

1. Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula simia) - These rare orchids only grow in the cloud forests of southeastern Ecuador and Peru at elevations of 1,000-2,000 meters on the side of mountains. Smells like a ripe orange.
2. Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) - It resembles a female bumblebee visiting a pink flower to attract the attention of male bees.
3. Pink Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.) - Looks like it has a little bird’s head guarding the flower nectar. 
4. White Egret Orchid (Habenaria radiata) - The flower looks like the bird is spreading its fluffy white feathers, getting ready to take off.
5. Holy Ghost Orchid(Peristeria elata) - has a beautiful dove shaped center.
6. Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major). It’s a small orchid, about 50 cm tall, that grows in eastern and southern Australia.

Source

^These are so cool!  Orchids are an amazing group of plants — they are often highly endemic and specialized; many have very specific mutualisms with insects and fungi.  Unfortunately, this high degree of specialization means they are vulnerable to extinction.