Lockhartia oerstedii (Oersted's Lockhartia)

Native from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, this orchid grows on trees in dense, humid forests. Its upright stems are closely covered by small, overlapping leaves arranged in two ranks, creating a flattened, braided appearance. Short, slender flower stalks arise from the upper leaf axils and hang outward. Bright yellow blossoms show dark red markings around the column and part of the complex, lobed lip. The flowers can be fragrant. The flower lip bears oil-secreting hairs, and orchid bees have been recorded visiting the blossoms. Photographed in Panama.