Object Details
Description
This medium sized orchid was one of the few tropical Asian orchids known to Linnaeus. He initially placed it in the genus Epidendrum, simply because it also grew on trees.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
December to June; peaks from January to March
Ethnobotanical Uses
This is one of the 3 national flowers of Inonesia.
Pollination Syndrome
Bee (Xylocopa), nectar deception
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2019-0352A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Epiphytic
Bloom Characteristics
Inflorescence is 20-36" (51-89 cm) long and branching, with around 15 white, long-lasting flowers per a branch. Flowers are 4" (10 cm) across and can last up to 6 months.
Fragrance
Fragrant
Plant Size
3-5" x 8-15" (8-13 x 20-38 cm), excluding inflorescence
Range
Malesia to Papuasia
Habitat
Rainforests overhanging water; 0-1970ft (0-600m)
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
The Lovely Phalaenopsis
Moon Orchid
White Moth Orchid
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Phalaenopsis
Species
amabilis
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2019-0352A