Object Details
Description
Ludisia discolor is one of many orchids called "Jewel orchid," because it is grown for its beautiful leaves rather than its flowers. Commonly grown for terrariums, L. discolor defies the stereotype of finicky, difficult to grow orchids. If you wish to grow more of this orchid, simply take a piece of the pseudobulb, stick it in dirt or a glass of water, and wait for roots to appear in a few weeks.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
Year round; peaks in December through March
Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
Was used in Hong Kong for medicinal purposes.
Pollination Syndrome
Butterfly (Pieris rapae, Pleisconeura asmara), reward
Provenance
From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
Accession Number
2011-2422A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Life Form
Terrestrial
Bloom Characteristics
Inflorescence is 4-12" (10-30 cm) long with 10-25 densly blooming white flowers that last 2-3 weeks. The column and lip of the flower are twisted in opposite directions. Flowers are .75" (1.7 cm) across.
Foliage Characteristics
Dark green, 2-3" (5-7.6 cm) long leaves with criss crossing lines that run the length of the leaf and some speckling.
Fragrance
Fragrant
Plant Size
10-18" x 6-10" (25-46 x 15-25 cm)
Range
S China to Sumatera and Philippines
Habitat
Humid, shady, lowland forests near rivers; 230-3600ft (70-1100m)
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
Common Name
Jewel Orchid
Twisty-Flowered Orchid
Variegated Orchid
Rock Lotus Root
Rock Silk Worm
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Orchidoideae
Genus
Ludisia
Species
discolor
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
Link to Original Record
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2011-2422A