Phalaenopsis gigantea
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Phalaenopsis gigantea |
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Phalaenopsis gigantea is a species of orchid from the genus Phalaenopsis . Its name means something like "huge Phalaenopsis" (lat. "Giganteus" means something like gigantic, huge), because its flowers and leaves are extraordinarily large compared to other plants of the genus Phalaenopsis.
description
Vegetative characteristics
Phalaenopsis gigantea grows monopodially , mainly as an epiphyte . It has a short stem axis . The five to six rather fleshy light to deep green leaves are up to 50 centimeters long and up to 20 cm wide.
Generative characteristics
Usually several inflorescences up to 40 centimeters long with about 30 flowers are formed. The particularly large flowers (up to 5 centimeters), the sepals (sepals) and petals (petals) are elliptical in shape. The basic color of the waxy flowers varies from milky white to yellowish white to yellow green with several differently pronounced points and point collections on the petals, the color of which varies from wine red-red to purple-brown.
After pollination, the petals wilt and a dark green capsule fruit develops .
Known forms and varieties
The forms and varieties of Phalaenopsis gigantea described are Phalaenopsis gigantea f. decolorata and Phalaenopsis gigantea var. aurea (both described by Christenson , 2001, in Phalaenopsis: a monograph ).
distribution
Phalaenopsis gigantea is endemic to Borneo .
history
The first described plant of this species was found by AW Nieuwenhuis in Borneo in 1897 and brought to Buitenzorg . This plant finally bloomed in 1909 and was then described by JJSmith in the "Bulletin du Departement de l'Agriculture aux Indes Neerlandaises". Shortly thereafter, however, this specimen died. New specimens of this species were not found until 1937. Today you can no longer find any copies at the previous locations.
literature
- Bulletin du Departement de l'Agriculture aux Indes Neerlandaises 95 (1988), p.45- p.47
- Phalaenopsis - A Monograph from Christenson, EA - Timber Press Inc. (2001) ISBN 0-88192-494-6
Web links
- Site by Alain Brochart [French / English]
- Page from Bernard Lagrelle [French / English]
- Phalaenopsis Naturformen Page by Ralf Mummel [German]