Malawi Philately: 1975 Orchids of Malawi – 10t Eulophia cucullata

Eulophia cucullata is an orchid species identified by (Afzel. ex Sw.) Steud. in 1840. It is a genus of about two hundred species of flowering plants.

Orchids in the genus eulophia cucullata are mostly terrestrial herbs with either an underground rhizome or pseudobulbs on the surface. Many species have no leaves, but when leaves are present they are long and narrow, sometimes pleated. The flowers are borne on a flowering stem which sometimes appears before the leaves with a few to many flowers. The flowers in some species are small but others have large, showy flowers in a wide range of colours. The sepals are usually larger than the petals but the labellum has three lobes and a spur or pouch at its base.

The genus is widely distributed but most species are found in Africa and Asia.