Vanda W. Jones ex R.Br.
in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 6: t. 506 (1820)

INTRODUCTION: The some sixty species in this genus are distributed from India, China, S.E. Asia to New Guinea, some Pacific Islands and one species is recorded for Australia.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: The generic name comes from the Sanskrit name for the species Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) W.J. Hooker, ex G. Don (other authors state V. Roxburghii) from Bengal.

TYPE SPECIES: Vanda tessellata V. Roxburghii

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Large, coarse monopodial epiphytes or lithophytes with usually erect, long stems and thick, cord-like roots. The distichous, strap-like leaves closely enfold the stem at the base. Some species have terete leaves. The lateral inflorescence is few to many-flowered. Flowers, often very showy, are medium-sized to fairly large, opening widely. Many species in this genus have been used intensively for hybridizing, resulting in a most stunning array of flower colours, shapes and sizes. The species in this genus freely interbreed with species of other closely related genera such as Aerides, Arachnis, Ascocentrum, Renanthera, Phalaenopsis etc.

NUMBER OF SECTIONS IN GENUS: Six sections have been created for this genus. These are Deltoglossa, Hastifera, Lamellaria, Longicalcarata, Obtusiloba, Vanda. The two New Guinea species have been placed in the section Deltoglossa (Christenson, 1994).

NUMBER OF SPECIES IN NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea two species are found in the tropical lowland forests up to 1,000 m. They are V. hindsii Lindley and V. helvola Blume. Their flowers are typically coloured in all shades of brown to pure yellow. Both species are easily distinguished even when not in flower by their leaves, which are long and arching in V. hindsii and short and laterally erect in V. helvola.

SPECIES SHOWN HERE: Vanda hindsii Lindley

HABITAT: Both New Guinea species prefer open forests or shade trees in coffee plantations, exposed to full sun.

PHOTOS: Vanda hindsii, Vanda helvola

CONSERVATION STATUS: The species in this genus are not common, even where they occur. Under threat from expanding agricultural activities.