Phalaenopsis hygrochila explained

Phalaenopsis hygrochila, also known as 湿唇兰 (shi chun lan) in Chinese, is a species of epiphytic orchid native to Assam, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1]

Taxonomy

This species has a complex taxonomic history and has been previously assigned to several genera.

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]

Ecology

The plants are found in open forests in elevations of 700–1300 m.

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phalaenopsis hygrochila J.M.H.Shaw | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. powo.science.kew.org. 18 February 2022.
  2. Wu, Z.Y., Raven, P.H. & Hong, D.Y. 2009 Flora of China Vol. 25 Orchidaceae Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press St. Louis, MO. 446
  3. Li, M. H., Zhang, G. Q., Liu, Z. J., & Lan, S. R. (2014). Revision of Hygrochilus (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Aeridinae) and a molecular phylogenetic analysis. Phytotaxa, 159(4), 256-268.
  4. Tongbram, J., Rao, A. N., & Vij, S. P. (2012). Seed morphometric studies in some orchids from Manipur. J. Orch. Soc. Ind, 26(1-2), 25-2.
  5. Web site: Phalaenopsis. CITES.
  6. Pimda, W., & Bunnag, S. (2010). Protocorm wounding enhanced Agrobacteriummediated transformation of Hygrochilus parishii (Veitch & Rchb. f.) Pfitz. Advances in Agriculture & Botanics, 2(3), 205-212.