Right now, the Indian festival of lights known as Diwali is taking place, so in honor of Diwali I’m featuring an orchid that is native to India: Aerides Maculosum. It’s also known as the Cat’s Tail, Fox Tail or Fox Brush orchid. It’s a tropical epiphyte within the Vandaceous Alliance. I LOVE Vandas, so it’s no wonder I was attracted to this little beauty:
![Aerides maculosum](https://i0.wp.com/farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/3494043988_aa56cd34e6.jpg?resize=500%2C373)
The flowers are very small, sometimes only about 2 centimeters across.
![Aerides maculosum](https://i0.wp.com/images.travelpod.com/users/indianature/13.1227145200.1_aerides-maculosum-wild-orchid.jpg?resize=550%2C441)
These blooms totally have that bug-eyed look in the center, just like Vandas.
![Aerides maculosum](https://i0.wp.com/lh4.ggpht.com/_7FeaVsNNWCg/SkjzL1aMaBI/AAAAAAAAJm4/L8lEdkhhLqI/s640/picasa-IMG_1103.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Quite lovely, no? For comparison, here’s a photo of a Vanda that I took at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
![Vanda](https://i0.wp.com/farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/4344177052_07c9341be8.jpg?resize=500%2C375)
Vanda blooms are WAY bigger than Aerides maculosum, which look like tiny gems in comparison.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!