Ground Orchid (Spathoglottis plicata)
May 17, 2007 — Vasant M. SalianGround orchid (Spathoglottis plicata), native of South-eastern Asia to the Philippines, is the common species of Orchid which blooms round the year. This easily grown terrestrial herb has pretty, arching broad leaves with prominent parallel veins and a few or large cluster of small flowers at the end of a long stalk as tall as 1 metre arising from a basal leaf axil.
The flowers are seen from the more common purple to white, yellow, peach, pink and magenta shades and the leaves emerge from round pseudo bulbs that become increasingly multiple and larger as the orchid matures. Ground orchids can be grown as potted plants and also do well in beds and borders.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Asparagales
Family : Orchidaceae
Subfamily : Epidendroideae
Tribe : Arethuseae
Subtribe : Bletiinae
Genus : Spathoglottis
Species : Spathoglottis plicata
Pronunciation/Meaning:
- Spathoglottis (spath-oh-GLOT-tiss) - Spathe tongue, referring to the shape of the flower lip.
- plicata (ply-KAY-tuh) - Folded, pleated.
Common Names:
- Ground Orchid, Garden Orchid, Boat Orchid, Philippine Orchid
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