Stanhopea nigroviolacea

Stanhopea nigroviolacea, originally uploaded by maxful.

My brain almost exploded when I saw my first Stanhopea pop. An upside down orchid that flowers through its nether regions. Those crazy Latins! The collection grew to nigh on a dozen different species but the old nigroviolacea (tigrina?) – never really knew the difference – was divided time and again to provide new plants for half of the Noosa hinterland. The collection was recently sold but one specimen waits in a friend's garden in Sydney for the next instalment – a courtyard garden in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Stay tuned.