Vanda coerulea: Bloom

Object Details

Description

This medium to large sized orchid was the cause of much excitement when it was first brought to Europe in 1847, due to its large, blue flowers. Many expeditions were sent to gather the orchid, imperiling it. The medical properties of this orchid are currently being researched.

Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)

August to December; peaks in November

Medicinal / Pharmaceutical

In India, the flowers have been used to treat chest conditions, and juice from the leaves to treat diarrhea and dysentary, and skin conditions externally.

Provenance

From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Accession Number

2018-1008A

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Life Form

Epiphytic

Bloom Characteristics

Erect or suberect inflorescence is up to 2 feet (.6 meters) long with few to several long-lasting white flowers covered in a blue crosshatch. Flowers are 4" (10 cm) across.

Fragrance

Fragrant

Plant Size

20-75" x 18-30" (51-191 x 46-76 cm), excluding inflorescence

Range

Arunachal Pradesh to China (S Yunnan) and Indo-China

Habitat

On exposed, dwarf oak trees in forests with dry season; 2625-5600ft (800-1700m)

See more items in

Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection

Common Name

The Blue Vanda

Group

[vascular plants]

Class

Equisetopsida

Subclass

Magnoliidae

Superorder

Lilianae

Order

Asparagales

Family

Orchidaceae

Subfamily

Epidendroideae

Genus

Vanda

Species

coerulea

Smithsonian Gardens

Topic

Orchids

Living Collections

Record ID

ofeo-sg_2018-1008A

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7dfdf5362-2a59-4a26-a340-c0d132c805b0