🇪🇨 Habitat and Ecology
​Dracula ubangina (often spelled "urbangina" in error) is a rare epiphytic orchid endemic to Northwestern Ecuador (specifically the province of Pichincha). It is found in cloud forests at elevations around 1,800 metres.
​In this habitat, it grows on mossy trees in constant mist and shade. It is closely related to the famous Dracula vampira and was once considered a variety of it (Dracula vampira var. ubangina), but it is now generally recognized as a distinct species.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This species is essentially a "Miniature Vampire". It shares the dark, gothic look of D. vampira but in a smaller, more compact package.
​Habit: It forms a dense clump of erect ramicauls (stems), each topping a single green leaf. The plant is generally smaller in stature than D. vampira.
​Flowers: The inflorescences are horizontal to descending, carrying a single bloom that faces downwards or outwards.
​Aesthetics: The flowers are nearly solid black to the naked eye. Upon closer inspection, the sepals are a deep, saturated blackish-purple with very little background colour showing (unlike D. vampira which often has visible green/white veining). The sepals are rounder and less elongated than D. vampira, ending in slender black tails.
​The "Face": The central lip (labellum) is small, white or pale pink, and scooped (shell-shaped) with pinkish veins, creating a stark "ghostly" contrast against the black sepals.
​🔬 Taxonomy and Ethnobotany
​Taxonomy: The specific epithet ubangina is a reference to the Ubangi people of Central Africa, known historically for wearing lip plates. The name was chosen by Dr. Carlyle Luer because the prominent, scooped lip of the flower reminded him of this cultural modification.
​Differentiation: The primary difference between D. ubangina and D. vampira is size and shape. D. ubangina is smaller (flower width ~10-15 cm vs 20-30 cm for vampira) and the sepals are more cupped and round rather than long and pointed.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Dracula ubangina requires the standard cool-wet regime of the genus but is reported by some growers to be slightly more vigorous than D. vampira.
​Light: Requires deep shade to low filtered light. Direct sun is damaging.
​Substrate: Must be grown in a basket (mesh or wooden slat) with sphagnum moss. The flower spikes often grow downwards through the media; a solid pot will trap them.
​Watering: Keep constantly moist. Do not allow the moss to become crispy. Use rainwater or RO water only; tap water salts will burn the leaf tips rapidly.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime: 15-25 C (59-68 F).
​Optimal Nighttime: 10-14 C (50-57 F).
​Warning: It stresses above 24 C (75 F).
​Humidity: Very High (80%+) is essential for proper flower opening.
​✨ Unique Features
​Dracula ubangina is prized for being one of the "blackest" orchids available. The saturation of colour is often deeper and more uniform than its larger cousin, D. vampira. For collectors with limited space, it offers the drama of the "Vampire Orchid" without requiring the large footprint of the full-sized species.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: divisions from our stock plant. Divisions are 4+ growths.
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Dracula ubangina B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB