Dendrobium chrysotoxum

Native from northeastern India and Bangladesh to Yunnan, China, and mainland Southeast Asia, this perennial orchid grows on tree trunks in sunny evergreen forests and on rocks in open forests. Its upright, spindle-shaped pseudobulbs have rounded longitudinal ridges and carry two to five leathery, oblong leaves near their tops. Flower clusters arise below the leaves and arch outward or hang slightly. The thick-textured, fragrant flowers are golden yellow, with petals broader than the sepals. The nearly round lip has a densely hairy upper surface and a wavy, finely fringed margin surrounding a deeper orange-yellow center. Photographed in Ecuador.