Plants are found growing as epiphytes and lithophytes in the cloud montane forest of Venezuela and Colombia through south to Bolivia and Peru.
Description[]
The lip is unique in this genus: it is hinged and has a mechanism that snaps shut when stimulated by a pollinator, thus trapping the insect to ensure that the pollinia will be removed and later transferred to the receptive surface. The lip opens after 30 minutes or so to release the insect, but also closes at night and reopens at dawn.
Culture[]
Keep plant in partial shade. Plant can be grown in cool to intermediate conditions. Pot the plant in fine bark with perlite or sphagnum moss. Water regularly and keep potting media moist.
Naming[]
Porroglossum is derived from Greek "far off" and "tongue", referring to the position of the lip
