The above photo shows a flowering Dracula wallisii grown by a member of the SSOS.
The following information on Draculas and Dracuvallias is by Bill and Jan Miles. The genus Dracula is comprised about a hundred species native to Central and South America. Its name is derived from the Latin dracula, which means little dragon, in reference to the strange, sinister appearance of the flowers. The names chosen for species such as Dracula diabola, D. gorgona and D. vampira unjustly stress the perceived ‘nasty nature’ of these fascinating and rather beautiful orchid flowers. Draculas are mostly found in moist forest country between Mexico and Peru.
Draculas are closely related to Masdevallias and were once included in the genus Masdevallia. The hybrid genus Dracuvallia is made by crossing a Dracula with a Masdevallia. By late 2003, a total of 36 Dracuvallias had been registered – 5 using a Masdevallia as the pollen parent and 31 using a Dracula. Oddly, Dracula hybrids are less popular, with only 21 having been registered. The full-text for this article is available here.
For further information see their Draculas and Dracuvallias page on the Orchid Societies Council of Victoria (OSCOV) Website under the section Articles & Resources.
For further information about orchid care at Southern Suburbs Orchid Society (SSOS) or membership enquiries, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.
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