Giant Egret Orchid (Pecteilis gigantea)
This is a fragrant terrestrial orchid species found in hilly evergreen forests in India extending up the Western Himalayas into Pakistan.
Also called as butterfly orchid and is often confused with Lady Susan’s orchid which looks similiar.
It is very fragrant and the perfume can spread for several Meters. It is called Waghchora (or wagchra) in Marathi because the dissected lateral lobes of its large flower’s lip look like a tiger’s whiskers.
The tubers are used by the tribal for medicine and also by the herbivores as their favorite food (Esp Wild boars)
Blooms from August till November.
Shot in Coorg, August 2026 © Dr.Bishan Monnappa
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