Zygopetalum maculatum

Native to northern Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, this perennial orchid grows on the ground or on rocks in moist habitats. It forms clumps of rounded pseudobulbs topped by long, pleated leaves, and flowering plants can reach about 3 feet tall. The fragrant flowers have green sepals and petals blotched brown or maroon, and a broad white lip marked purple. Flower stems develop near the base of new growth. Photographed in Ecuador.