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Arachnis hookeriana Rchb.f. (Rchb.f.) var. luteola
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Common Name: | Hooker's Arachnis, White Scorpion Orchid |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Singapore, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Monopodial growth |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are tough, narrow and oblong in shape possessing a bilobed tip. |
| Flowers | Petals and sepals are narrow, of equal size and are more yellow in colour towards the clubbed tips. The column is short and stout. The downward curving lateral sepals (claws) together with the dorsal sepal (tail) make the flower resemble a scorpion. The erect inflorescence can bear up to 10-15 flowers each and are long-lasting. |
| Habitat | Grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte on sandy scrub lands and coastal outcrops, 100-500m away from the beach. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Planting Remarks | These orchids can grow to be quite tall and will need to be started off with support from posts of approximately 60cm height, this can be extended as they grow. Plants will not flower until they have grown past the support posts. Stems should be planted 10 cm above ground. |
| Fertilizing | Heavy fertilizing encourages frequent flowering |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Division, Tissue Culture |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 9 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth, Gloss / Shiny |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Inflorescence Size | 60 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
| Seed Description | Numerous, dust-like seeds lacking endosperm. |
|---|
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31068 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5455 |
| 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. |
