- Hand Embellished Giclee on Canvas 20" x 40" - Edition of 195
Gallery
American Orchid Society - Director of Education Note:
Often called the “Cockleshell Orchid”, Prosthechea (syn. Encyclia) cochleata is another species native to southern Florida,
the Caribbean and Central America. Long known in the botanical world, the species was first described as Helleborine
cochleato flore in 1703. Endangered in Florida this showy orchid is usually found there on trees a meter or two above the
high water mark in a swamp where there is always standing water. The water of the swamp provides thermal mass to
protect this and other delicate orchids from cold weather that occasionally strikes southern Florida. Flowering occurs
almost throughout the year, individual flowers being produced sequentially. This species, while slow growing, is
extremely adaptable and easy to grow in cultivation.