Hi all!

I came across this article this morning. Found it quite interesting...thought some of you might as well.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17...

No doubt about it, that is one ugly flower!
I have always thought that every orchid was beautiful from Acinetas through Zootrophion from Dendrobium to Masdevallia but that one is pushing it.
Normally I
Might say that it might take a while but maybe it's beauty will grow on you or you will get used to it. No, not in this case. Man that is just ugly!! 🤢🤮

So ugly only a mother could love it?

Wonder if it smells like a stinky Bulbophyllum ? considering it's looks.

This article gives a better idea of what it looks like. Fascinating!

http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2...

Thanks Daisy for the lead. In a drawing by itself, the flower on a naked rhizome, reminded me of a little alien.

BBQNBLUES said:Wonder if it smells like a stinky Bulbophyllum ? considering it's looks.

Article says "pleasant, citrusy, rose scent".

I remember reading that. Citrus rose scent.

Citrus rose scent sounds lovely but Gastrodia looks like something gastrointestinal.

The best part is its classified as an Epidendroideae - a tropical epiphytic. Weird!

The more I look the weirder it gets as its described as having a "holomycotrophic habit" - as in no chlorophyll. So they're dependent on the fungus in the humus for their survival but not considered terrestrial orchids. Epiphytic orchid floating around under the dead leaves of the forest floor sucking the life out of mushrooms.

Another orchid species . .. not the most attractive ..it's own way 😟 cringeworthy .... at least it has a nice fragrance. It makes sense that it looks wrinkled and organized to fit the normal structure and form of most orchids. It grows under a heavy layer of leaves, leaves which create fungus. I wonder if it feeds on some type of fungus. I almost looks like a strange mushroom than a orchid.

I can't imagine how it would be judged at a orchid show. On its own merits most probably. Structure, form bloom color , size, floriferousness, turgidity is definitely strange. From the pic in the article it looks almost soggy soaking wet. I am amazed that 156 new species of plants and fungi were discovered . Someday I would love to go to Kew Gardens. Seen it in a virtual video but not the same.

As far as judging it at an Orchid Show goes, I have a feeling that it would be no easy thing to even get it there in condition to be judged. It grows underground after all. But let's assume that some how it gets there. More then likely, it could be granted either a CBR/AOS or a CHM/AOS. These are basically botanical awards.

Think of a Certificate of Botanical Recognition as the probable outcome. It would be recognized for rarity and educational value. How many leafless, underground orchids do we see?!
A CHM would be a higher award if you will. We would be recognizing a new species. A CHM will also recognize its "Horticultural Merit"! Well then we need to establish whether or not it has any Horticultural Merit??? Would it grow on and be a very worthwhile species to grow? Probably not. It is a rare, underground orchid, a novelty. I can't imagine hundreds of people paying a tidy sum of $$$ to try and grow one!! Remember, it's weird and ugly.
Would it be a new avenue to produce hybrids and open up a whole new avenue of breeding for hybridists?! Again, probably not. Breed it with what??? Would the resulting hybrids be grown above ground or below? Who knows.
If it is in Epidendroidae, would it hybridize within that group?? Again, who knows? It might be easy to breed with or could it prove impossible to breed with?? Again who knows?

BUT IT IS FOR THOSE REASONS, I would consider just a CBR for it.

Hope I have answered the judging question.

Is it just me, or does it look like it belongs in Ursula's Garden of cursed merfolk (the "poor unfortunate souls") in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'?

Oh, that Ursula!

Looking at the shape of this bloom, in a way I was reminded of Scaphosepalum ovulare. This particular genus has a bunch of weirdo blooms!