Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asparagales
Genus:
Species:
gigas
ID:
946298

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Luer & Andreetta) Luer

Source:
wcs

Year:
1978

Citation Micro:
Selbyana 2: 195 (1978)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000945636



Common Names

  • Dracula Gigas
  • Gigas Orchid
  • Giant Orchid


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Description

Dracula gigas (also called Gigas' Dracula, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the Orchidaceae family. It is native to Central America and South America, where it is found in wet montane forests. It is an epiphytic orchid growing to 0.3–1 m tall, with a single, large, heart-shaped leaf up to 1 m long.

Uses & Benefits

Dracula gigas is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a houseplant. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headaches, and skin diseases.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The Dracula gigas flower is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small, dark green, and have a single pair of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Dracula gigas is a small, epiphytic orchid that is native to the cloud forests of Central and South America. It is best grown in a humid, warm environment, with temperatures between 15-25°C (59-77°F). It requires bright, indirect light and should be watered regularly, but allowed to dry out between waterings. Propagation is done through division of the clump or by seed.

Where to Find Dracula gigas

Dracula gigas can be found in the mountains of Ecuador and Peru.

Species in the Dracula genus

Dracula antonii, Dracula barrowii, Dracula christineana, Dracula deniseana, Dracula maduroi, Dracula mendozae, Dracula nigritella, Dracula sijmii, Dracula tsubotae, Dracula veleziana, Dracula dens-canis, Dracula saulii, Dracula callithrix, Dracula rojasii, Dracula senex-furens, Dracula erythrocodon, Dracula immunda, Dracula adrianae, Dracula alcithoe, Dracula amaliae, Dracula andreettae, Dracula anicula, Dracula anthracina, Dracula aphrodes, Dracula astuta, Dracula bella, Dracula bellerophon, Dracula benedictii, Dracula berthae, Dracula brangeri, Dracula carcinopsis, Dracula carlueri, Dracula chestertonii, Dracula chimaera, Dracula chiroptera, Dracula circe, Dracula citrina, Dracula cochliops, Dracula cordobae, Dracula cutis-bufonis, Dracula dalessandroi, Dracula dalstroemii, Dracula decussata, Dracula deltoidea, Dracula diabola, Dracula diana, Dracula dodsonii, Dracula erythrochaete, Dracula exasperata, Dracula fafnir,

Species in the Orchidaceae family

Aa fiebrigii, Aa hartwegii, Aa hieronymi, Aa leucantha, Aa lorentzii, Aa macra, Aa achalensis, Aa maderoi, Aa mandonii, Aa matthewsii, Aa microtidis, Aa paleacea, Aa argyrolepis, Aa riobambae, Aa rosei, Aa schickendanzii, Aa sphaeroglossa, Aa trilobulata, Aa weddelliana, Aa aurantiaca, Aa calceata, Aa colombiana, Aa denticulata, Aa erosa, Aa figueroi, Aa lozanoi, Aa lehmannii, Acampe carinata, Acampe cephalotes, Acampe ochracea, Acampe pachyglossa, Acampe praemorsa, Acampe joiceyana, Acampe hulae, Acanthophippium bicolor, Acanthophippium chrysoglossum, Acanthophippium curtisii, Acanthophippium eburneum, Acanthophippium gougahense, Acanthophippium javanicum, Acanthophippium lilacinum, Acanthophippium mantinianum, Acanthophippium parviflorum, Acanthophippium pictum, Acanthophippium splendidum, Acanthophippium striatum, Acanthophippium sylhetense, Acanthophippium curtisii, Achlydosa glandulosa, Acianthera aculeata,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-64066: Based on the initial data import
Carlyle A. Luer (1922-2019): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Luer' in the authors string.
Angel Andreetta (1920-2011): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Andreetta' in the authors string.