Dracula (C.A. Luer)

Draculas (also known as monkey orchids) grow exclusively in Central and South America.
The genus comprises approximately 137 species and natural hybrids.
Nine of these species grow in Central America: Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
The remaining species occur in South America: 76 species in Colombia, 56 in Ecuador, and 7 in Peru.

The plants generally grow at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,300 metersSome species grow from an altitude of 300 meters, but there are also species that occur above 2,300 meters.
All species grow in the shade of trees and receive little direct sunlight.
In the wild, the plants often grow in trees and shrubs, under a low canopy, and the roots are often surrounded by moss.
The moss and the canopy keep the plant roots constantly moist (but never wet, because this layer is very airy). The humidity at these locations is also always very high.

New Dracula species are regularly discovered.

Special thanks to Stig Dalström, Alfonso Doucette, Gary Meyer for their help in updating the names and identifications. Also to John Leathers for help to collectd some special species.

Herman ter Borch, Helmond, The Netherlands