Orchids of Arunachal - Part 3
Curiosity and learning new things are always positive traits. You can only fully comprehend and appreciate the significance of what is already in existence in that way. This is a follow-up blog on the orchids found in Arunachal Pradesh. Before we begin, a quick reminder to read Orchids of Arunachal, Part 1 and Part 2.
Calanthe plantaginea
Most commonly known as the Plantago-Like Calanthe, this orchid belongs to the sub-family of Epidendroideae, with its tribe being Bletiteae and sub-tribe Bletiinae. It is a plantaginea species of the genus Calanthe. It is also vernacularly named Che Qian Xia Ji Lan in China.
Its flowering period starts in July and ends in September. The stem of the plant is fleshy and it has a rhizome that is sheathed. The size of its purple-coloured flowers is 3 cm across with a raceme inflorescence.
Calanthe plantaginea is a sympodial plant that inhabits the terrestrial regions of sub-tropical and tropical forests at an altitude of a minimum of 800 m and a maximum of 1500 m. It was collected from Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, by Dr A. N. Rao.
Dendrobium aphyllum
This species of Aphyllum is classified under the tribe of Dendrobeae; sub-tribe of Dendrobiinae, and sub-family of Epidendroideae from the genus Dendrobium. It is popularly known as the Leafless Aphyllum or the Hooded Dendrobium.
It is a Sympodial plant with white, rosy-mauve-coloured flowers and a slender and woody stem. The flower size is 5 cm across with an inflorescence of raceme type and has a rhizome which is creeping, sheath-covered and woody. The flowering season is spring, starting in April, all the way up to June.
It is an epiphytic plant that thrives in the moist deciduous forest and tropical forests at an altitude of 200 m–1000 m. In Arunachal Pradesh, it was collected by Dr S. N. Hegde from the sites of Namorah, Koilajuli, and Tipi. The type species has been preserved in the Orchidarium of the Tippi Orchid Centre.
Dendrobium chrysanthum
This orchid is also known as the Golden Flowered Dendrobium, and like the others on the list, the plant is also an epiphyte, which can be found at an elevation of 1200–1800 m in subtropical and tropical forest areas.
They can be witnessed in the Seijosa, Mehaw, and Simari regions of Arunachal Pradesh. The Orchidarium, Dirang Orchid Centre, and Sessa Orchid Centre have their species type preserved. It was collected by Dr A. N. Rao and Dr O. Apang from the collection sites of Seijosa, Tezu, Mehaw, and Simari water tank, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary.
The colour of the flower is golden-yellow and it blooms in the spring season. It has a slender stem, a creeping rhizome and a raceme inflorescence with its size blooming up to 4 cm across. The flowering period of this sympodial plant starts in April and ends in May.