Phalaenopsis wilsonii, also known as 华西蝴蝶兰 (hua xi hu die lan) in Chinese, is a species of epiphyte in the family Orchidaceae, native to China, Tibet, Myanmar and Vietnam.[1] Additionally it has been recorded in India.[2]
The 1 cm long stems produce 4-5 oblong to subelliptic, 6.5-8 cm long and 2.6-3 cm wide leaves and greenish, well developed, dorsiventrally flattened, verrucose roots. The leaves often show purple colouration of the abaxial surface and they are shed before flowering, but sometimes 1-2 leaves persist. Flowering occurs throughout April to July. Widely and simultaneously opening, pink flowers are produced on 1-2 suberect or arching, 10-15 flowered racemes.The plants are epiphytes or lithophytes on damp rock found at elevations of 800-2200m a.s.l.[3] The chromosome count is 2n = 2x = 36.[4]
This species is placed within the subgenus Aphyllae, which is characterised by deciduous leaflessness. A source of taxonomic confusion has been the missapplication of this species name to Phalaenopsis honghenensis.[5] Phylogenetic analysis indicated Phalaenopsis wilsonii was closely related to Phalaenopsis lowii. However, other species from the subgenus Aphyllae were not included in this study. [6]
This species has been categorized as vulnerable in China Species Red List.[7] It is protected unter the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.[8]