Chinese Culture > Butterfly Orchid
Butterfly Orchids (Phalaenopsis)
Origins
Phalaenopsis or Butterfly Orchids is a genus of approximately 60 species of
orchids. It's name name originates from the Greek phalaina, "moth" and opsis,
"like", descriptive of the inflorescences of some species, which resemble moths
in flight. They are native to southeast Asia from the Himalayan mountains to the
Phillipeans and northern Australia.
Butterfly Orchid (Phalaenopsis) grows in pastures and other grassland situations and grows to a height of between 8 and 24 inches. The plant has two large oval leaves and a number of smaller pointed leaves higher up the stem. There are 10 - 24 large white flowers carried on long ovaries. The appearance of the flower is very striking; there are two long sepals at either side which spread sideways and downwards: between them is a long narrow lip pointing straight down. The rest of the flower segments form a loose hood over the top of the flower. The base of the flower has a curled spur. The flowers of the butterfly orchid have a vanilla scent. Only insects with long tongues, such as butterflies and moths, will be able to appreciate the nectar from this plant.
Looking into the "throat" of the flower it is possible to see the two pollinia (egg-shaped masses or clumps of pollen) sitting either side of the wide entrance to the spur. (In Lesser Butterfly Orchids they sit close together and the throat is almost closed). Butterfly Orchids flowering months are from May to July.
Click on pictures below to enlarge.
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