Flowers twisted in toward the stalk, with a stiff floral bract, 2.5 inches long, beneath each flower. Sepals and petals yellow-green, folded forward over the lip; lip 3-lobed, without a crest, the prominent central lobe maroon with green margins. Fruit a rounded capsule, pointed upwards. Similar Species: Only orchid with 5-foot tall flowering stalk and yellowish maroon flowers. The related wild coco (Eulophia alta), found from Pasco and Flagler counties southward, has a similar leaf but shorter flowering stalk and its flowers are all maroon (vs. flowers with yellow outside and maroon inside in giant orchid). Fruiting pods of wild coco dangle from the stem in contrast to pods held erect against the stem in giant orchid. Wild coco is found mostly in roadside ditches. Giant orchid leaves resemble those of saw palmetto seedlings, but are softer.
