What's spiky, swamp-dwelling, and (at least) seven feet tall? It's the Swamp Arum, Lasimorpha senegalensis. Its bloom is perched on a towering stalk that nearly reaches the ceiling of the Aquatic Plants Gallery! Swipe for a closer look at the distinctively patterned bract that nearly encloses its inflorescence. Could this snazzy bract help attract pollinators to visit the many tiny flowers inside? As its name suggests, the Swamp Arum is an aquatic plant found in swamp forests and ponds of Western Africa. A leaf extract from this species is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for treatment of liver disease, and a few scientific studies have evaluated compounds in this plant for potential antibacterial properties and protective benefits for the liver.

Marveling at the many leaf sizes, shapes and shades found in the Potted Plants gallery.

The delicate and fragrant Rhyncholaelia glauca is currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery. Its a treat to get to see (and smell) this species up close. If you encountered it the wild, it would be likely growing high up in the trees as an epiphyte - farther from eye & nose level! Haven't heard of a Rhyncholaelia? That's no surprise - this is one of just 2 species in this genus. The other is Rhyncholaelia digbyana, the national flower of Honduras.

Don’t miss the Conservatory of Flowers’ ✨Award Winning ✨ display at the Pacific Orchid Exposition! Very fitting for this year’s expo theme: Masquerade. Congratulations to our horticulture team for creating this clever and beautiful display. See the it yourself today, tomorrow & Sunday at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park - along with thousands of orchids in the show and sale, educational demonstrations and more. See the link in our bio for the full event description & ticket information.

Last chance to see this funky, fabulous flower of the Fabaceae! The Pride of Burma (Amherstia nobilis) is a member of Pea family (Fabaceae) and has a uniquely shaped flower like many of its relatives. It's nearing the final day or two of its bloom in the Aquatic Plants gallery.

Wanted: young orchid growers. Show your beautiful orchids at the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition hosted by @sforchidsociety! Enter plants in the youth category (ages 17 and under) and you might just be awarded the Imperiale Youth Prize, like previous winner Helen Liu. To be considered, bring plants with known names to Plant Entry at the SF County Fair Building tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/23, from 3pm to 8pm, and enter in Section 1200 as a youth exhibitor. For everyone else, be sure to visit the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition this coming weekend (2/24-2/27) to see thousands of orchid flowers on display, a plant sale, hands-on horticultural demonstrations, and more. Plus the Conservatory of Flowers is just a 15-minute walk away from the County Fair Building, so you can visit us too!

Looking to make this Valentine's Day one to remember? The Conservatory of Flowers offers intimate proposals and micro wedding packages that will create memories to last a lifetime. For more information, please visit the link in our bio and check out the events page to submit an inquiry.

The delicate flowers of Angraecum eburneum, sometimes called the Comet Orchid. Currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery! Photo credit ©SaxonHolt/PhotoBotanic (@summerdry.gardens)

The Pacific Orchid Exposition is just over two weeks away! Come join the Orchid Masquerade from February 24th-27th at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. There will be thousands of orchid flowers and plants on display, with judging from the American Orchid Society, as well as plants for sale from members of the San Francisco Orchid Society as well as many local, national & international nurseries. Hands-on demonstrations will be conducted by experts with information about successfully growing and blooming orchids at home in San Francisco, as well as ongoing efforts to promote habitat conservation around the world. Families are welcome, and there will be special activities for kids and people of all ages and interests. This event is hosted by the San Francisco Orchid Society. As usual, the Conservatory of Flowers will be participating with a spectacular botanical display. Learn more about the event, health and safety guidelines, and how to buy tickets via the link in our bio.