Dove orchid
Peristeria elata, family Orchidaceae
In its own language: flor del Espiritu Santo
An orchid with white flowers shaped like a dove, Panama's national flower
Peristeria elata is an epiphytic orchid native to Central and north-western South America. Its marble-white blooms, marked with purple spots and shaped like a dove, appear from July to October and carry a scent reminiscent of beer.
- National flower of Panama since 1936
- Flowers smell like beer
- Centre of each bloom looks like a dove
- Listed on CITES Appendix I
- Grows on mossy trees in humid mountain forests
What does Dove orchid look like?
This orchid grows on tree trunks in humid forests. It has tall, narrow pseudobulbs bearing long, folded leaves. From the base rise stems holding four to twelve flowers. Each bloom is marble white with purple speckles, and its centre forms a clear dove shape. The reproductive parts are yellow, and the whole flower gives off a strong beer-like fragrance.
Where does Dove orchid come from?
Peristeria elata occurs naturally from Costa Rica through Panama into Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. It thrives as an epiphyte in very wet mountain forests around 1,100 metres elevation, often near the forest floor. Though once abundant in Panama, wild populations have declined sharply due to illegal collection.
When and how Dove orchid blooms
The plant flowers between July and October. It grows attached to moss-covered tree trunks in mature, humid forests. Its pseudobulbs support long leaves, and flower spikes emerge from their base. The species reproduces through seeds but is slow to establish in the wild.
How Dove orchid is used
Since 1936, it has served as Panama’s national flower, chosen during the Flower Festival. Its striking dove-like bloom makes it highly sought after, leading to over-collection. Conservation groups like APROVACA run sponsorship efforts to protect it from extinction.
What Dove orchid means
Known locally as flor del Espiritu Santo, its dove-shaped flower links it symbolically to the Holy Spirit. This resemblance has made it both revered and vulnerable. It holds official status as Panama’s national emblem and is protected internationally under CITES Appendix I.
Questions people ask about Dove orchid
Where does the dove orchid come from?
It is native to Central America and north-western South America, from Costa Rica to Peru, especially in Panama’s humid mountain forests.
Why is it called the dove orchid?
The central part of its white flower has a distinct shape that resembles a dove, which also connects to its name 'flower of the Holy Spirit'.
Is the dove orchid endangered?
Yes, it faces serious risk of extinction due to illegal harvesting for its beauty. It is protected under CITES Appendix I.
When does it bloom?
In its natural habitat, it flowers between July and October.
What is its significance in Panama?
It has been Panama’s national flower since 1936, declared during the Flower Festival.
Good reading and sources
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Peristeria elata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Peristeria elata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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