Golden Shower Orchid

 

Also called the Dancing Lady Orchid, this orchid can be found at Better in Belize. It is an epiphyte, meaning that it perches on tree trunks, getting moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around it. The Oncidium genus contains about 330 species, and is found in Florida, through Central and South America and the West Indies.

To find a wild one in March or April, its usual blooming period in Belize, look up into the trees for a clump of 18″-24″ strappy leaves with sprays of 1″ bright yellow (with reddish markings) flowers arching down from it. A golden shower orchid plant may display hundreds of blooms.

While it is against the law to collect orchids from their trees, you can watch for recently fallen trees or branches on the road after storms, and rescue fallen orchids that will die on the ground without their host trees. Observe carefully how your rescue orchid has been situated, and try to duplicate that when looking for a replacement perch for the orchid. Get more information about these orchids here,  or if you don’t have a green thumb and feel crafty, try making your own with directions from here.