Phalaenopsis Blume
in Bijdragen tot de Flora van nederlandsch Indie 7:294; 1825

INTRODUCTION: About forty species are distributed in the tropical regions of Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. The earliest description of Phalaenopsis amabilis was made by Rumphius in 1750 as Angreacum album majus. Linnaeus in 1753 de-scribed it as Epidendrum amabile, in 1814 Roxburgh transferred it to the genus Cymbidium as Cymbidium amabile and ultimately Blume established the genus Phalaenopsis in 1825. In 1886 Rolfe established the first revision of the genus and recognised four sections. Herman R. Sweet revised the genus in 1968 and established ten sections and four subsections in section Zebrinae.

Phalaenopsis hybrids are among the most popular grown orchids. The flowers are long lasting, large and very highly attractive and therefore considered by many as the most handsomest of all orchids. They are grown in huge quantities for the cut flower trade, the white colour varieties being highly popular in Japan for wedding bouquets.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: The white flowers of Phalaenopsis amabilis reminded Carl Blume of moths and he coined the name from the Greek phalaina = moth and opsis = like, resembling.

TYPE SPECIES: Epidendrum amabilis Blume

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Species in the genus are monopodial epiphytic or rarely lithophytic herbs with fleshy, adventitious roots, arising from the base of the stem and lower nodes. The stems are short, leafy and without pseudobulbs. The often very large, fleshy leaves are erect or pendant, varying in outline from elliptic to oblong-lanceolate and obovate-lanceolate. The lateral, in some species branching inflorescence is one to many-flowered. The flowers vary in size from small to large, they are long lasting, have a varying texture from waxy to delicate. Flower colours range from white to pale pink and mauve, from yellow with red-brown markings to deep magenta.

NUMBER OF SPECIES IN NEW GUINEA: Only one species, P. amabilis var. papuana is found in the country. Recently another variety of P. amabilis has been discovered and will be published in due course.

HABITAT: Plants can be found to grow on trees high up on exposed branches in a pendant position from sea level to about 800 m. The inflorescence in some species is erect and when in flower the plants are easily detected. The Papua New Guinea species Phalaenopsis amabilis var. papuana is widely distri-buted in open forests. This species is difficult to detect when not in flower as the leaves are normally pendant. When in flower the tall inflorescence is often seen first.

CONSERVATION STATUS: mining and logging in many parts of the country threaten this species

SPECIES PHOTO(S):
Phalaenopsis amabilis var. papuana Schlechter
(click link to view)

SPECIES LINE DRAWING:
Phalaenopsis amabilis var. papuana Schlechter
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft (click link to view full size drawing)

Phalaenopsis amabilis var. papuana Schlechter
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft (click link to view full size drawing)
from live specimen ex Moro, Lake Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province