The monkey-faced orchid is truly captivating. It looks just like a little monkey’s face! It’s unusual for a flower to look so much like something else.

Most flowers are appreciated for their beauty, and while the monkey-faced orchid is pretty, its personality is what makes it so unique.

They are known as Dracula Simia in latin. “Dracula” because of the long fang-like parts that hang down and “Simia” because it looks like a monkey.

I saw the monkey-faced orchid at the University of Cuenca’s orchidarium (Azuay). If you want to see them in the wild you will need to take a trip to the cloud forest. They grow between 1.000 to 2.000 meters above sea level.

Whether you see them in the wild or in “captivity” they will surely catch your attention. And if they are in full bloom, try to lean in and catch their scent of ripe oranges.

Can you believe it? Little monkeys that smell like ripe oranges!