EL FLOR NATIONAL DE BELICE

The National Flower - The Black Orchid
The Black Orchid (Encyclia Cochieatum) is the national flower of Belize. This orchid grows in the damp areas of Belize and flowers nearly all year round. It grows on trees in clustered, bulblike stems varying in size up to six inches long and carrying two to three leaves. The Black Orchid flower has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the base.The "lip" (one petal of the special construction, which is the showiest flower) is shaped like a valve of a clam shell; and is deep purple-brown, almost black, with conspicuous radiating purple veins.