Hybrid orchid flower (Epiphronitis veitchii). This hybrid is a cross between Epidendrum radicans and the grandiflora variant of Sophronitis coccinea.

---

Hybrid orchid flower (Epiphronitis veitchii). This hybrid is a cross between Epidendrum radicans and the grandiflora variant of Sophronitis coccinea. Such a cross-generic hybrid is given a new genus name, in this case Epiphronitis. The lower petal (lobed) is a specialised structure called the lip. It attracts pollinators to the flower and provides them with somewhere to land. There are more than 30,000 species of orchids worldwide, many of which (both natural and hybridised) are grown as ornamental flowers.

---

Size: 3476px × 5054px
Photo credit: © PAUL HARCOURT DAVIES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: biological, biology, botanical, botany, bred, breed, coccinea, cross, cultivated, epidendrum, epiphronitis, flower, flowering, gardening, grandiflora, horticultural, horticulture, hybrid, nature, orchid, plant, radicans, reproduction, reproductive, single, sophronitis, veitchii