Black Orchid

It is befitting that a black orchid would bloom just in time for Halloween.  I know Halloween celebrates goons and goblins but who cares? Halloween is about everything ghoulish.. even a black orchid.  Behold a real black orchid plant in bud.  The name of the orchid is Paphiopedilum Astro Boy.  A real black lady slipper orchid. 
This is the second time I have seen a black orchid produced by Paphiopedilum Astro Boy.  The first time I saw the black orchid was in 2004 in the greenhouse then a second time at an orchid show.  The orchid at the orchid show was also black but it was not Paphiopedilum Astro Boy.  Here you have an orchid plant that normally produces a different flower than a black flower.  That is a mutation.  Therefore, all real black orchids are mutations making this a rare orchid indeed. 
This is only the second time I have seen a black orchid in twelve years but then again I haven't attended many orchid shows lately but I love orchid shows.  The photos of the black orchid with a gray background were taken on September 29, 2011. 

Black Orchid