Coelogyne flaccida Lindl.

Epiphyte. Pseudo-bulbs arranged close together, ovoid-cylindric, with many large fibrous brown sheaths at its base, 4 to 7 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. Leaves in pairs, slightly coriaceous, narrowly oblong, acuminate, narrowed into a long channelled petiole of around 2 to 4 cm long, leaves 6 to 10 cm long and around 2 to 3 cm in width. Raceme arises from the base of the pseudo-bulb, almost as long as the leaves or sometimes more, decurved. Peduncle short and with large lax sheaths at its base. The sepals and petals are pale brown and lip white with many streaks of purple and yellow spots and markings. Sepals sub-equal, oblong-lanceolate, acute, spreading. Petals much narrower than the sepals, slightly shorter, acute. Lip oblong, the side lobes long, with acute apices; the terminal lobe oblong; the disc with three yellow ridges. The flowers are of a displeasing smell.

Coelogyne flaccida, Lindl
Coelogyne flaccida Lindl.

 The Pursuit

The locals of the region keep away from this plant during its flowering season due to its unpleasant smelling flowers. Neither do they plant species in their home. This is a plant of the low altitudes and a summer blooming species. The flowers are very beautiful despite its unpleasant odour. Spotted the plant on routine surveys on several trees at low altitudes. It was noticed that most of the plants are grown at medium heights on trees which made my climbing efforts very easy. The flowers of the whole open together which makes it easy to spot. So every day I looked for them to bloom. Finally by the mid of March, with summer temperature rising, I got the species in bloom, plenty of them all over the region. Carefully observed a lot of flowers to find a perfect one to shoot and made this wonderful photograph of the species. The unpleasant odour of the flower will make everyone move away from it quickly. However, I spend considerable time there to look for the pollinators which frequented the flowers.