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Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Common Name: | Tiger Orchid, Bunga Bidadari, Ekor Gajah |
Grammatophyllum speciosum is the largest orchid species in the world, with its clump weighing as heavy as two tonnes, and bearing flower stalks as long as 2 m long! The common name, Tiger Orchid is given after the striking brown and yellow flower patterns resembling tiger stripes.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx)) |
| CITES Protection | True (Appendix II) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a large, clumping, epiphytic orchid. Its stem is 3 m or longer, and up to 5 cm thick. It is also the largest orchid species in the world. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its stalkless, two-rowed leaves have thin leaf blades that are strap-like, narrowing and curving downwards towards the sharp tips, and 31–60 by 2.5–3 cm. |
| Stems | Stems are long and fleshy. |
| Flowers | Its 10 cm-wide flowers are borne on an elongated shoot from the base of the stem. Both its sepals and petals are pale greenish-yellow with orange-brown spots, turning darker when older.. The floral stalk is about 2 m tall and carries about 40 long-lasting flowers. |
| Fruit | Its pear-shaped fruits are about 15 cm long. |
| Habitat | It grows on trees near rivers and streams. |
| Associated Fauna | It is probably pollinated by large bees. |
| Cultivation | This species is best grown as an epiphyte, but it can also be planted in the ground or in large containers. To grow it as an epiphyte, it can be tied to the trunk of a large tree near the crotch. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is the largest orchid species in the world with specimens growing up to 2 tonnes and bearing up to 7,000 flowers at a time! It is often grown as an ornamental orchid in gardens and parks for its attractive foliage and large flowers. It is cultivated as an epiphyte on street trees in Singapore. In Singapore, it flowers in January or July, but plants do not flower every year. It can also be cultivated in well-drained loose substrate as a terrestrial plant. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Occasional Misting, Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Labiate / Lipped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 746 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2041 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |