Plant Find: Nun's orchid

Christie and I visited one of our favorite local nurseries recently and were surprised to find an orchid mixed in among the usual flower garden plants.  Although this nursery has very good quality plants, they don't have houseplants or generally anything too unusual.

Phaius tankervilliae

The Nun's Orchid or Nun's Cap Orchid (Phaius tankervilliae) is so named because if you look up into the flower tube you will see this (below).

Phaius tankervilliae

See the nun with her head bowed down in prayer?  It's actually not easy to see in person.  You have to look up into the tube, which is quite long (as you can see in the next picture).  The camera flash really helps illuminate the feature.

Phaius tankervilliae

You might just look up and see this.

Phaius tankervilliae

This is a truly beautiful plant and makes the 2nd giant terrestrial orchid in my collection now.  I haven't had any experience with terrestrial monstrosities like these before, but I'm hoping that they will be happy in my greenhouse, being treated much like my other tropicals.  I guess we'll know this time next year, if they decide to bloom again.

Phaius tankervilliae