Brassia aurantiaca

Native to Colombia and northwestern Venezuela, this perennial orchid grows on trees in cool, moist mountain forests. In Colombia, it is recorded between about 3,900 and 4,900 feet. The plant reaches roughly 8 to 14 inches tall and develops water-storing pseudobulbs. Upright stems become arching and carry up to 18 bright orange flowers. The petals and sepals spread only from the middle, leaving the flowers partly tubular. Hummingbirds pollinate the blooms. Photographed in Colombia.