Orchid flower (Sophronitis coccinea). The smaller, tube-shaped, central petal is called the lip. This is a specialised petal that attracts pollinators

---

Orchid flower (Sophronitis coccinea). The smaller, tube-shaped, central petal is called the lip. This is a specialised petal that attracts pollinators and guides them towards the reproductive parts. This orchid is found in south-eastern Brazil. It is usually epiphytic (growing on trees). There are more than 30,000 species of orchids worldwide, many of which are grown as ornamental flowers.

---

Size: 5164px × 3387px
Photo credit: © PAUL HARCOURT DAVIES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: american, biological, biology, botanical, botany, brazilian, coccinea, epiphyte, epiphytic, flower, flowering, labellum, lip, nature, orchid, ornamental, plant, reproduction, reproductive, single, sophronitis, south, tropical