{"id":26854,"date":"2020-04-16T19:56:33","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T03:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/?p=26854"},"modified":"2020-04-21T13:34:17","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T21:34:17","slug":"lovely-orchid-lips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/16\/lovely-orchid-lips\/","title":{"rendered":"Lovely Orchid Lips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paraphalaenopsis_labukensis_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35089 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paraphalaenopsis_labukensis_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Paraphalaenopsis labukensis, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Orchids in the Park 2019, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paraphalaenopsis_labukensis_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paraphalaenopsis_labukensis_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paraphalaenopsis_labukensis_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cyrtochilum_macranthum_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35083 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cyrtochilum_macranthum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Cyrtochilum macranthum, AKA Oncidium macranthum, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, grown outdoors in San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cyrtochilum_macranthum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cyrtochilum_macranthum_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cyrtochilum_macranthum_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dracula_vampira_Walter_x_sib_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35084 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dracula_vampira_Walter_x_sib_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Dracula vampira 'Walter' x sib, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Orchids in the Park 2013, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dracula_vampira_Walter_x_sib_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dracula_vampira_Walter_x_sib_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Dracula_vampira_Walter_x_sib_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phragmipedium_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35091 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phragmipedium_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Phragmipedium flower, Phrag, Lady Slipper orchid, close up of flower lip, labellum, pouch, Pacific Orchid Expo 2019, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phragmipedium_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phragmipedium_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phragmipedium_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35092 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Rhyncholaelia digbyana, AKA Brassavola digbyana, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, fringed flower lip, Pacific Orchid Expo 2018, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rhyncholaelia_digbyana_lip_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Epidendrum_pseudepidendrum_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35086 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Epidendrum_pseudepidendrum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Epidendrum pseudepidendrum, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, green pink and yellow flower, grown indoors in San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Epidendrum_pseudepidendrum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Epidendrum_pseudepidendrum_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Epidendrum_pseudepidendrum_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Orchids have lovely lips. The lip, or <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Labellum_(botany)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">labellum<\/a>, is one of the defining parts of an orchid flower. This modified petal can be the most elaborate part of the bloom. It may be a landing pad, or even a temporary trap, for pollinating insects. It&#8217;s usually at the bottom of the flower, but since orchids like to break rules, it&#8217;s sometimes at the top, as in certain varieties of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/identify\/orchids\/epidendrum.html\">Epidendrum<\/a>, Encyclia, and Cycnoches.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cattleya_hybrid_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35080 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cattleya_hybrid_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Cattleya orchid hybrid flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, purple flower with yellow lip, Pacific Orchid Expo 2016, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cattleya_hybrid_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cattleya_hybrid_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cattleya_hybrid_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35090 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Phalaenopsis orchid hybrid flower, Phal, Moth Orchid, close up of flower lip, labellum, purple flower with yellow lip, University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px-768x768.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Phalaenopsis_hybrid_lip_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Coelogyne_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35081 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Coelogyne_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Coelogyne orchid flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Orchids in the Park 2019, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Coelogyne_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Coelogyne_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Coelogyne_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35093 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Stanhopea orchid flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Glasshouse, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey, UK\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Stanhopea_lip_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35082 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Cycnoches barthiorum, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, grown indoors in San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Cycnoches_barthiorum_lip_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Trichopilia_suavis_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35094 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Trichopilia_suavis_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Trichopilia suavis, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Pacific Orchid Expo 2020, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Trichopilia_suavis_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Trichopilia_suavis_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Trichopilia_suavis_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not possible to illustrate the ridiculous diversity of orchid lips with only 15 photos, but I&#8217;ve tried to capture a wide range. Some not included here feature striking colors, like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/identify\/orchids\/miltonia.html\">Miltoniopsis<\/a>, or bizarre forms, like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/27\/bulbophyllums-are-some-of-the-weirdest-orchids\/\">Bulbophyllums<\/a>. All these structures may be fascinating to us, but they&#8217;re meant for insect or avian pollinators. Each lip is part of an ingenious lure that&#8217;s evolved to attract a specific bug or bird with colors, patterns, shapes, and fragrances. The fact that orchid lips have also drawn in lots of humans has been a happy accident.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Encyclia_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35085 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Encyclia_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Encyclia orchid, close up of flower lip, labellum, striped flower lip, Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Encyclia_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Encyclia_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Encyclia_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paphiopedilum_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35088 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paphiopedilum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Paphiopedilum orchid, Paph, Lady Slipper, close up of flower lip, labellum, pouch, Pacific Orchid Expo 2019, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paphiopedilum_lip_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paphiopedilum_lip_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Paphiopedilum_lip_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35087 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Habenaria medusa, orchid species flower, close up of flower lip, labellum, Orchids in the Park 2016, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Habenaria_medusa_lip_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orchids have lovely lips. The lip, or labellum, is one of the defining parts of an orchid flower. This modified petal can be the most elaborate part of the bloom. It may be a landing pad, or even a temporary trap, for pollinating insects. It&#8217;s usually at the bottom of the flower, but since orchids [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-misc","category-photos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26854"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26854\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35135,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26854\/revisions\/35135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}