Gongora leucochila (White-Lipped Gongora)

Native to southern Mexico and Central America, this orchid grows on trees in wet tropical forests. Swollen stems called pseudobulbs carry two or three stalked leaves. Slender flower stalks arise at the sides of the plant and hang downward in unbranched clusters. Flower colors vary from yellow marked with reddish purple to purplish red. The lip can be largely or entirely white. Its floral perfume attracts male orchid bees, which gather scent compounds for courtship and carry pollen between flowers. Photographed in Colombia.