Vanda flabellata

Native from southern Yunnan in China to mainland Southeast Asia, this orchid grows on tree trunks in open evergreen forest and at forest margins. Its stout stems carry thick, leathery leaves, and short flower stalks develop beside the leaves. The thick-textured flowers have yellowish brown sepals and petals marked with reddish brown spots. A white, fan-shaped lip bears purple markings and yellow ridges, while a yellow spur with a dark tip curves forward beneath the flower. Photographed in Florida.