Epidendrum cochlidium

Native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, this orchid has upright, leafy, reed-like stems. Rounded flower clusters develop at the stem tips. Each flower has spreading, lance-shaped sepals surrounding a distinctive three-lobed lip. The central part of the lip is fringed, while a prominent raised callus occupies its centre. The combination of the lip and callus structure helps distinguish this species within Epidendrum. Photographed in Colombia.