Stelis ornata

We are well known for our miniature orchids and one of the most dramatic (as long as you have good eye sight, a magnifying glass or zoom on your phone) is Stelis ornata.

The species is named for the unusual white threads that decorate the edges of the flower which otherwise has adopted a very fashionable animal print. 

Plants are tiny with 2cm leaves and thin flower spikes up to 5cm long that flower successively with relatively large flowers about 1cm across.

Stelis ornata is native to cool wet mountain forests in Mexico and we find it loves our cloud forest greenhouse (min 12C) either in pots or mounted like this one.