Biology
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Phalaeonpsis gigantea lives up to its species name, producing the largest plants in the genus. Due to their large size however, these plants tend to be slow growing (2). The flowers of each plant usually open simultaneously, producing an extremely impressive display (3).
Conservation
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Due to the life history characteristics of this species, it may be necessary to control trade in order to preserve this magnificent orchid in the wild (2). Trade is restricted at present, due to the listing of Phalaenopsis gigantea on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (4).
Description
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This epiphytic orchid is known locally as 'elephant ears' due to the enormous, olive- green leaves of this species (2). Five or six large, waxy leaves hang from the stems of the orchid from its position above the ground, supported on tree branches. The pale yellow-green inflorescence (or flower stem) also dangles from the plant; in season, this bears many, small fragrant flowers and the record is 97 on a single spike (3). The petals and sepals of the flower are brightly coloured with a yellow/white background that is heavily marked with purple-brown bars (2). Three different colour varieties are known: a reddish brown pattern on a white background, reddish brown on yellow, and pale brown on yellow (2). The flower lip has three lobes; the outer ones are sickle-shaped and have a row of yellow-orange teeth (2).
Habitat
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Found in primary rainforest (3), up to 400 metres above sea level (2).
Range
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This orchid is currently known from Sabah and Kalimantan on the island of Borneo in South East Asia (2). Previously, Phalaeonpsis gigantea was also found on the nearby island of Java in Indonesia (3).
Status
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Listed on Appendix II of CITES (4).
Threats
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This species is under threat from the demand for mature plants in the horticulture trade. Due to the long time that it takes seedlings to reach maturity, wild plants tend to be collected to meet the demand, and Phalaeonpsis gigantea could easily be brought to extinction purely from collection (2). Large numbers of this species were previously known from Borneo and Java but it has suffered greatly from over-collection (3).
Phalaenopsis gigantea
provided by wikipedia EN
Phalaenopsis gigantea is a species of orchid endemic to the island of Borneo and was first described in 1909.[1] The specific epithet gigantea refers to the giant size of its leaves, which can grown over 60 cm in length on a mature plant. It is the largest known Phalaenopsis species.[2]
Species description
Phalaenopsis gigantea seedling
Phalaenopsis gigantea inflorescence
- A very short monopodial stem with 5-6 large silvery-green pendent leaves that can measure over 60 cm in length
- flowers are ~5 cm across (up to 6.5 cm), cream background with raised red-brown spots, and varying degrees of green around the column, waxy
- Mature, specimen-size plants are capable of producing hundreds of flowers on pendent, branching inflorescences reaching 40 centimeters
- blooms have sweetly fragrant citrus scent
- flowers can last many months
-
inflorescence can rebloom over many seasons [3]
- Although widespread belief that this orchid takes anywhere from 8 to 12 years for a seedling to reach flowering size, it may be possible to flower seedlings in 4 years with ideal culture [4]
Taxonomy
This species is a member of the species complex involving Phalaenopsis kapuasensis, Phalaenopsis rundumensis and Phalaenopsis doweryensis.[5]
Species variants
-
Phal. gigantea var aurea: has a brighter yellow background color throughout the sepals and petals [2]
Growing conditions
- warm to hot growing orchid[3]
- although not difficult to grow, (gigantea) seedlings take significantly longer to reach maturity than other species
- particularly susceptible to rot if water gets trapped between the leaves
- allow potting media to dry out completely between watering
-
Phal. gigantea needs its entire root system to keep the large leaves hydrated, so as a result is very sensitive to getting its roots disrupted
- prefers higher light than most phalaenopsis[2]
Use in horticulture
This plant has been used in the creation of Phalaenopsis hybrids, as its huge size and pendent inflorescences are recessive traits in crosses with complex tetraploid hybrids. Two colour morphs are significant to horticulture: paler brown patterns without red colouration against a yellow ground colour and secondly brown-red patterns against a yellow ground colour.[6] As of February 2022, the International Orchid Register of the Royal Horticultural Society lists 321 registered hybrids involving this species.
References
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Phalaenopsis gigantea: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Phalaenopsis gigantea is a species of orchid endemic to the island of Borneo and was first described in 1909. The specific epithet gigantea refers to the giant size of its leaves, which can grown over 60 cm in length on a mature plant. It is the largest known Phalaenopsis species.
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
