Phalaenopsis hygrochila
Species of epiphytic orchid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phalaenopsis hygrochila, also known as 湿唇兰 (shi chun lan) in Chinese,[2] is a species of epiphytic orchid native to Assam, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1]
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| Phalaenopsis hygrochila | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flowering Phalaenopsis hygrochila specimen in cultivation | |
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| Flower detail | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Phalaenopsis |
| Subgenus: | Phalaenopsis subg. Hygrochilus |
| Species: | P. hygrochila |
| Binomial name | |
| Phalaenopsis hygrochila J.M.H.Shaw[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Taxonomy
This species has a complex taxonomic history and has been previously assigned to several genera.[1]
Description
The 5–10 cm, sometimes up to 20 cm long stems are 8–15 mm wide and enclosed within persistent leaf sheaths. They bear oblong to obovate-oblong, unequally bilobed, coriaceous leaves, between 17 and 29 cm in length and 3.5-5.5 cm in width. Yellow flowers of 4–5 cm in diameter with purple spotting and a white lip with lavender colouration on the midlobe are produced on 5-8 flowered, axillary and often pendent inflorescences. One plant may produce up to 6 inflorescences at a time. Flowering occurs throughout June and July. The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 38.[2] Each pollinium is completely divided into two unequal halves.[3] The seeds are 238.7 μm long and 81.2 μm wide.[4]
Gallery
Lateral view of flower bud in the process of opening
Flower viewed from behind
Lateral view of fully closed, spurred flower buds
Flowers growing on a pendent inflorescence
Flowering specimen mounted on a branch with moss
Botanical illustration of Phalaenopsis hygrochila as Vanda parishii
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Ecology
The plants are found in open forests in elevations of 700–1300 m.[2]
Conservation
This species is protected unter the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.[5]
Horticulture
It has been utilized as an ornamental plant and cut flowers have been traded commercially, both locally and internationally. Artificial propagation and genetic transformation protocols were established.[6]
