🇪🇨 Habitat and Ecology
​Dracula morleyi is a small epiphytic orchid endemic to Northwestern Ecuador, specifically found in the province of Carchi close to the Colombian border. It inhabits wet montane cloud forests at elevations around 2,000 metres.
​In this habitat, it grows on the trunks and lower branches of trees enveloped in moss, experiencing perpetual high humidity, frequent cloud mist, and cool temperatures year-round. It is found in deep shade, protected from direct sunlight by the forest canopy.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This species is a small, caespitose (clump-forming) perennial lacking pseudobulbs, typical of the Pleurothallidinae subtribe.
​Foliage: The plant consists of slender, erect ramicauls (stems) supporting thinly leathery, narrowly elliptic leaves (10-15 cm long) that are a fresh green colour.
​Inflorescence: A key feature distinguishing it from many other Dracula is its inflorescence habit. The flower spikes are typically erect to horizontal, holding the flower outward or slightly upward, rather than strictly pendent (hanging straight down).
​Flowers: The flowers are small and cupped. The base colour of the sepals is pale yellow or creamy-white. They are densely covered with tiny, raised brown or purple-brown warts (verrucae) and spots, giving the flower a finely speckled, almost "sandy" texture.
​Tails and Lip: The sepals terminate in slender, dark brown tails. The central lip (labellum) is small, scoop-shaped, and typically white or pale pink, contrasting with the speckled sepals.
​🔬 Taxonomy and Ethnobotany
​Taxonomy: Described by Dr. Carlyle Luer and Stig Dalström, the specific epithet morleyi honours Dale and Deni Morley, supporters of orchid conservation and research who have contributed significantly to the study of Andean orchids.
​Pollination: Like its generic relatives, D. morleyi utilizes fungal mimicry. The appearance and scent of the flower, particularly the lip, attract fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae) looking for mushroom habitats, which then inadvertently pollinate the orchid.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Dracula morleyi is a cool-growing specialist that requires high humidity and constant moisture.
​Light: Requires deep shade to low filtered light. It is sensitive to bright light and direct sun, which will overheat and dessicate the foliage.
​Substrate: Due to its erect to horizontal flower spikes, it can be grown in pots, unlike pendent species that require baskets. However, net pots or baskets lined with sphagnum moss are still ideal to ensure maximum root aeration and moisture retention.
​Watering: The moss medium must be kept constantly wet. Never allow it to dry out.
​Water Quality: Use only rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis (RO) water. It is highly sensitive to dissolved minerals and salts found in tap water, which cause rapid leaf-tip burn.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime: 15-20 C (59-68 F).
​Optimal Nighttime: 10-13 C (50-55 F).
​Critical Limit: Sustained temperatures above 23 C (73 F) are detrimental.
​Humidity: Very High (85-100%) is essential year-round.
​✨ Unique Features
​Dracula morleyi is distinguished by the combination of its erect flower spikes (uncommon in the genus) and the fine, raised, warty texture of its spots against a pale background. It is a charming miniature species for cool-climate growers who might not have space for hanging baskets.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: 4+leaved adult plants established in aquatic pots. Divisions from our stock plants
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Dracula morleyi B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB