Spathoglottis plicata

Spathoglottis plicata
Spathoglottis plicata flowers
Spathoglottis plicata white cultivar
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Laeliinae
Genus: Spathoglottis
Species: S. plicata
Binomial name
Spathoglottis plicata
Synonyms

Spathoglottis plicata is a species of terrestrial orchid found from tropical and subtropical Asia to the western Pacific including Hawaiʻi, Tonga and Samoa. It is the type species of the genus Spathoglottis. It is commonly known as the Philippine ground orchid,[1] Philippine orchid, or large purple orchid.

It also occurs in Australia from Cooktown to the Jardine River on Cape York Peninsula and is listed as vulnerable. It is found in seasonally inundated and other moist areas, in sunny areas near swamps, seepages, and small streams. In Australia it flowers from September to April.[2][3]

Description

Spathoglottis plicata produces a few short fleshy bulb-like stems with each bearing a bunch of leaves. The leaf is about 80 cm long and fairly board, with numerous narrow parallel pleats or folds, whence the name plicata, pleated. The slender flowering stalks can grow to 1 metre tall, bear a few flowers. Before the leaves fall and the old bulb dies, new buds will start to grow near the base, producing new flowers and new stems. Hence, Spathoglottis plicata is perennial. It grows and flowers throughout the year. The flower is about 4 cm wide. It has attractive light pink-purple sepals and petals that are similar in size and shape. The lip looks ‘T’ shape. At the tip of the column there is a cap, under which masses of yellow pollen grains can be seen. [4] After the flower is fertilized, the seeds will take about six weeks to develop. The fruit is about 3 cm long, green and cylindrical and hang downwards. When ripe, the capsule splits open and thousands of tiny seeds are carried away by wind. [4]

Cultivation

Spathoglottis plicata and its varieties have been cultivated and selected. The typical one has a bright purple flower. Some of them have mauve or pale mauve flowers. The rare pure white form is called ‘Penang White’. Due to its hardiness and fast growth, Spathoglottis plicata is cultivated and used in hybridizing with other mountain Spathoglottis that are difficult to grown in lowland to produce more interesting varieties. For example, Professor Eric Holttum’s first orchid hybrid, S. Primrose is a hybrid of S. plicata and S. aurea. ‘Dwarf Legion’ is a hybrid of S. Primson and S. tomentosa, a dwarf form that produces many colours of flower, from pink to yellow, and pure cream.[5] To grow Spathoglottis plicata, the soil must has good drainage and is well-aerated, preferably good burnt soil mixed with manure. When planting, the upper part of the ‘bulb’ must be above the ground level. After planting, shade them for a week or two for the roots to grow before exposing them to full sun. When the new growth starts, apply dilute manure water frequently for the plant to grow healthy.[6]

Conservation concern

Spathoglottis plicata is listed as "vulnerable" in Australia. The main potential threats are considered to "include over-collection and illegal collection by orchid enthusiasts,disturbance and foraging by feral pigs (Sus scrofa), and altered hydrology (Landsberg & Clarkson, 2004)."[7]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Spathoglottis plicata". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  2. ↑ Jones (2006), pp. 363-364.
  3. ↑
  4. 1 2 1908-2001., Seidenfaden, Gunnar, (1992). The orchids of peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Wood, Jeffrey J., Holttum, R. E. (Richard Eric), 1895-1990. Fredensborg: Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew & Botanic Gardens, Singapore [by] Olsen & Olsen. ISBN 8785215244. OCLC 27797276.
  5. ↑ Holttum, R.E. (1964). A Revised Flora of Malaya: Volume I Orchids of Malaya. Singapore: Published by Government Printing Office, Singapore.
  6. ↑ Sanders, A. G. (1940). "Malayan Orchid Review". Straits Times Press, Singapore.
  7. ↑ "Approved Conservation Advice for Spathoglottis plicata." (2008) Downloadable pdf file

References

  • Jones, David L. (2006). A Complete Guide to Native Orchids of Australia Including the Island Territories. Reed New Holland, Sydney. ISBN 1-877069-12-4.


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