The “cradle of Venus” orchid, a flower that occurs in the humid jungles of the mountains in South America, from Colombia to Peru, and is little known.

The “cradle of Venus” orchid, a beautiful and little-known flower

Nature is simply extraordinary.

It has allowed us to live with unique species, to marvel at great landscapes and to be impressed by its small creations.

Flowers represent all that, they are a symbol of beauty, gratitude and special instances. They all have something special, but some are simply over the top.

This is the case of the “cradle of Venus” orchid, a flower that grows in the humid jungles of the mountains in South America, from Colombia to Peru, and is little known. Its interior is the great attribute, as it seems to have small babies in this kind of “cradle”.

It is a reminder, a demonstration of greatness. What each flower contains inside is very similar to a child, it emulates mother nature.

These beautiful plants are known for their delicacy and sobriety, but also for a great attractiveness. This particular species is the Anguloa, rather represents a genus of these flowers and is distributed in the humid jungles of the South American mountains.

The uniflora type is a rare orchid, reaching up to 20 cm in length.

Although orchids, also called orchidaceae, are present in many parts of the world, this particular type is only found in one type of climate.

They come in all types, colors and shapes, each with its own particular style and beauty.

In some places it is also known as tulip orchid, because of its resemblance to that other flower.

Each of these flowers has a different longevity, that is, they live a number of years depending on many factors. Generally they last from 3 to even 10 years.

More than enough time to enjoy looking at them and looking for their meaning.

Orchids take many forms, some of them familiar. With these unusual blossoms, it’s easy to see how Anguloas earned the nickname Tulip Orchids. In the wild, they hang onto steep cliffs in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. I don’t see them in cultivation often, and don’t have any in my own collection. These are photos from recent orchid shows.

Many Tulip Orchids have long lasting flowers with a strong cinnamon fragrance. These terrestrials can grow into large, showy plants. Since they are related to Lycastes, many hybrid crosses are available under the hybrid name Angulocaste.

Tulip Orchids need high humidity, good air movement, regular water, and regular fertilizer. Give them morning sun, and take care that their leaves don’t burn on hot days. During winter dormancy, older leaves drop off. Cut back watering until they put out new growth. There are more yellow, red, and white varieties, but I don’t have pictures of those (yet!) except for the bright yellow Angulocaste flower in the final photo. These orchids are also called Cradle Orchids, and in Spanish, Cuna de Venus, or “Cradle of Venus.”

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