Orchids on the rocks
June 22, 2019- While on a solo trek in northern Laguna I saw this clump of Pomatocalpa bicolor in full bloom. I have been seeing these plants in this location since the early 2000s and when I am here at the right time, I can expect to see the plants in flower. And this day I wasn't disappointed. Pomatocalpa bicolor is endemic to the Philippines and found in the provinces of Bataan, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya, and Rizal on Luzon; Polillo off eastern Luzon; Busuanga and Palawan; Bolo, Leyte, Negros, and Romblon in the Visayas; and Agusan del Norte on Mindanao. Despite being widely distributed, the species appears to have very localized populations and therefore not often encountered. The stems attain lengths of more than 3 meters, with roots produced along the stem length. The branched inflorescences reach about 60 cm in length and bear fleshy flowers clustered at the rachis tips. The flowers are fragrant, 1.7 cm across by 2.3 cm high, usually off-white w...