Phalaenopsis buyssoniana explained

Phalaenopsis buyssoniana is a species of orchid native to Thailand and Vietnam.^[1]

Description

It is a robust terrestrial, lithophyte with oblong-elliptic to elliptic-obovate, silvery green leaves up to 25 cm in length and 9.5 cm in width. The surface is finely spotted in purple. Rose-pink flowers are produced on erect racemes.This species has been found to be tetraploid with a chromosome count of 76 chromosomes (2n = 2x = 76).^[2] It similar in appearance to Phalaenopsis pulcherrima, but it has larger flowers, larger leaves and longer inflorescences. These attractive features creates a high demand of the species.^[3] Problems with fruit set may arise in the creation of interspecific hybrids.^[4]

Etymology

The specific epithet buyssoniana honours the french botanist François-Charles, comte du Buysson (1825-1906).^[5]

Conservation

The IUCN has not assessed this species conservation status. It is however protected unter the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Phalaenopsis buyssoniana Rchb.f. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. powo.science.kew.org. 17 February 2022.
2. Christenson, E. A. (2001). Phalaenopsis: a monograph. Timber Press (OR).
3. Rungruchkanont, K. In Vitro Young Leaf Culture of Doritis Pulcherrima Var. Buyssoniana.
4. Rungruchkanont, K., & Promchot, T. (2016, March). Role of plant growth regulators on fruit set and embryo culture of interspecific Phalaenopsis. In I International Symposium on Tropical and Subtropical Ornamentals 1167 (pp. 119-126).
5. Olaf Gruss "Phalaenopsis ubonensis aka Doritis ubonensis - A new species from Thailand and Laos" Phalaenopsis Journal of the International Phalaenopsis Alliance, Fourth Quarter, p. 13 and 26, Vol. 24(4) 2014