Plant
Monkey-Face Orchid
Dracula simiaAlso known as Monkey Orchid, Monkey-Like Dracula
Perched on mossy tree trunks in cool Andean cloud forests, this unusual epiphyte blooms throughout the year with flowers that open one after another. Its petals, column, and central lip align to create an uncanny resemblance to a primate face, flanked by three broad sepals extending into long, slender tails. A faint scent reminiscent of ripe oranges wafts from the blossoms, luring tiny fungus gnats that inadvertently pollinate the plant as they explore.
EpiphyticCloud ForestFragrant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
- Herbivorous slugs
- Snails
- Caterpillars
ThreatsIllegal poaching for cultivation and deforestation
HabitatsMontane cloud forests
Life spanPerennial (decades)
Classification
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- SpeciesDracula simia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for tufted grassy leaves producing pendulous flower stalks with monkey-faced blossoms and long sepal tails.
- Support conservation
- Never collect wild plants, disturb root mounts, or publish precise GPS coordinates of wild sightings.
Responsible observation
- Habitat etiquette: Stick to established trails to avoid trampling delicate moss cushions in high-elevation cloud forests.
- Observation angle: Scan cool, shaded lower trunks and horizontal branches where moisture stays consistently high.
- Plant care: Never touch or pull on the pendent floral spikes, which continue to produce flowers over several months.
Image unavailableSame Genus Same Genus 
Same Family Philipp Weigell / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
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