Common name: Toothbrush Orchid • Marathi: कंगवा हबेअमरी Kangwa Habe-amri
Botanical name: Habenaria heyneana Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid family)
Toothbrush Orchid is a terrestrial herb, growing to 10-40 cm tall. The plant
has 1-2 ovoid tubers. Alternately arranged narrowly oblong leaves are 2-6 cm
long. The inflorescence consists of 2-8 flowers arranged all on one side of
an upright stalk. This is what gives it the common name toothbrush orchid.
The flowers are greenish white to begin with, and turn yellowish as they
age. White petals are 4-7 mm long. The white lip is 5-10 mm, 3-lobed. Spur is
linear and 6 mm long. Flowering: August-September.
| Photographed in Alibag, Maharashtra. |
Identification credit: Pravin Kawale
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