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Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cymbidium amabile (L.) Roxb., Phalaenopsis gloriosa Rchb.f, Phalaenopsis grandiflora Lindl. |
| Common Name: | Moon Orchid, Moth Orchid |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Borneo, Indonesia, Philippines Papua New Guinea and Australia (Queensland). |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An epiphytic orchid. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The thick, leathery leaves arranged in opposite rows, are broad and green and can grow up to 50cm long and 10cm wide. |
| Stems | The stem is short and robust. It often has a pendulous growth form. |
| Flowers | The big and showy flowers are borne on a arching raceme and have white petals and sepals while the flower lip has three lobes. The side lobes are rounded with a deep yellow margin while the centre lobe is cross-shaped with two yellow tendrils extending from the tip. The flowers are long lasting. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | It is the national flower of Indonesia. |
| Habitat | It is found growing on trees at altitudes of 0 to 1200m. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Tissue Culture |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31484 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5881 |
| 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. |
