Vanda-Like Papilionanthe is an orchid found in
Assam, eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanamar and S. China
at elevations of 1200-1750 m. It is a large sized, warm growing, erect
and pendant epiphytic orchid that forms large masses of branching,
hanging, flexuous stems carrying erect, cylindrical, long-pointed
leaves with the leaf bases being longitudinaly grooved. The plant
blooms with a 1-3 flowered, 1 ft long inflorescence arising from the
stem in between the leaf bases and carries 1-4 fragrant flowers.
Flowers are 3.8-5 cm in diameter, white with a purple-flushed base to
lip and spur. Flower-stalks are pink, 1.5-3.3 cm. Dorsal sepal is
obovate-oblong, 2-3.6 × 0.8-1.5 cm, obtuse, margins wavy. Lateral
sepals are similar, about 3 × 1 cm. Petals are subrhombic, 2-2.5 ×
1.1-1.9 cm, reticulately veined, base twisted, margins wavy, tip blunt.
Lip is 3-lobed, about 2.2 × 2.2 cm - lateral lobes are erect,
unequally bifid, flexuous, narrowly ovate, sickle-shaped, about 9 × 3
mm, toothed on top margin. Mid-lobe is clawed, obovate, dilated and
bilobulate at tip, about 9 × 9 mm across.
Identification credit: K.L. Chaudhary
Photographed in Shillong, Meghalaya.
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The flower labeled Vanda-Like Papilionanthe is ...