The beautiful, but quite strange looking Encyclia cochleata Lemee 1955 orchid, is also classified as Anacheilium cochleatum Hoffmannsegg 1842. In common parlance, this orchid beauty from Middle- and South America, is called Octopus Orchid or Clamshell- or Cockle Shell Anacheilium. The epyphytic growing plant is native to Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, Brasil, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Venezuela and Colombia. The flowers can reach a size of up to 8,5 cm. Flowering period: March - September.
Update March 2012:
As we found out recently, the botanical name for the beautiful Octopus orchid has been changed to Prosthechea cochleata (L.) W.E.Higgins 1998. Both names Encyclia cochleata and Anacheilium cochleatum are still accepted as synonyms.

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Encyclia cochleata Lemee 1955, Anacheilium cochleatum Hoffmannsegg 1842
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Encyclia cochleata Lemee 1955, Anacheilium cochleatum Hoffmannsegg 1842
Photographer: Posantor “Chocolate” Saelie