Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (Lindl.) J.J. Sm. (formerly known as Doritis pulcherrima Lindl.)

Description:  Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (Lindl.) J.J. Sm. (formerly known as Doritis pulcherrima Lindl.) is a terrestrial or lithophytic orchid. The genus name, Phalaenopsis, derived from two Greek words meaning ‘resembling a moth’, refers to the moth-like flowers while the specific epithet, pulcherrima derived from Latin adjectives, means ‘most beautiful’. Hence its common name, Beautiful Moth Orchid. It is native in Cambodia, throughout Indo-China to China and in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo in Malaysia, India. This orchid is rare in Peninsular Malaysia and is only found in the northern part of Kedah and in Terengganu. Phalaenopsis pulcherrima is a sun-loving species and has been recorded to grow on sandy soil along river banks and also inland or on rocks which are sometimes covered by mosses.

Photorights: Vuthy Phan

• Size:  The inflorescence can grow to 60 cm in length, The flowers are rather showy, wide-open, about 3.3 × 2.5 cm,
• Collector/Witnesses:  Marpha Telepova Texier
• Year Collected:  2003
• Growing Media:  wood/pot
• Flowering Period:  year round
• Color:  Sepals and petals are white to purplish-pink.  The lip mid-lobe can be entirely white with purple on the tip or entirely purple whereas the side lobes are white, orange or purple while the base of the lip is white, golden yellow or purple. The column is white to lightly flushed purple and yellow or entirely flushed purple.
• Water:  1 – 2 time daily
• Light:  medium to full sunlight
• Temperature:  15 - 36 °C