Object Details
Description
This relatively easy to grow terrestrial orchid has a sticky past. In China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and Vietnam, Bletilla striata was used for the gluey substance both its roots and pseudobulbs produce. Used for many medical purposes, this orchid was also used in the manufacture of decorated porcelain pieces, and to create the strings of traditional Chinese instruments.
Hardiness
-20 - 30 F
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
November to June; peak in January to March
Ethnobotanical Uses
In China, roots were rubbed on inkstones for use in writing and juice from the plant was used in making porcelain. In Vietnam, porcelain makers used gummy material from the pseudobulb to make the patterns on pieces. In both countries, glue was made from the psuedobulb to stick broken pieces of porcelain back together. In China and Japan, the thick, gummy substance produced by the roots when placed in water was used to waterproof fabrics. The orchid is also used as an insecticide in China, and its glue is used to make the strings of traditional Chinese instruments, like the guqin.
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
In southeast Asia, preparations of the psedobulb of this plant have been used for fever, pulmonary disease, dysentery, wonds, and burns. It has also been used as a binding agent in making pills. In China, Mongolia, and Japan, this plant has a vast array of medical uses.
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2008-0607B
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Terrestrial
Bloom Characteristics
Inflorescence is up to 24" long with 12 flowers - but normally fewer. Flowers open one after the other from the bottom to the top. Flower is 1-2.2" across.
Foliage Characteristics
Leaves are ribbed and occasionally variegated with white.
Fragrance
Fragrant
Range
China; Japan; Korea
Habitat
Forests and grassy places; 1100-3200m
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
Chinese Ground Orchid
The Striped Bletilla
Hyacinth Orchid
Hardy Orchid
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Bletilla
Species
striata
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2008-0607B