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.

Epigeneium Amplum 

Epigeneium Amplum is also commonly called the Black-Tongued Orchid or the Large Epigeneium. Vernacularly, it is named Krachieng, Sithieng in Thailand, and Kuan Ye Hou Chun Lan in China. It is a species of amplum that belongs to the Sub-Family of Epidendroidea, under the Dendrobeae tribe, with its sub-tribe being Dendrobiinae of the Genus Epigeneium. Ecologically, it is an epiphytic plant and has the characteristics of sympodial plants. These can be found thriving at an altitude of 1500 m to 1800 m in sub-tropical forests.

Its seasons of flowering are autumn and summer, with a flowering period starting in September and ending in November. The colour of the flower is greenish-brown, with dark brown blotches. The size of the flower is 9–10 cm across, and has a slender stem. Its rhizome is creeping and woody with a raceme-type inflorescence.

The type specimens have been preserved in the Sessa Orchid Centre and Tippi Orchid Centre, Arunachal Pradesh.

Eria bambusifolia

It is a bambusifolia species of the genus Eria, belonging to the sub-family of Epidendroideae, of the Podochileae tribe and Eriinae subtribe. Commonly named the Bamboo-Like Leafed Eria, it is an epiphytic orchid which thrives at an altitude of a minimum of 1000m and a maximum of 2000m in temperate forests and subtropical forests.

This Sympodial orchid blooms in autumn and winter, with its flowering periods starting in October and ending in January. The colour of its flowers is pale-brown with deep brown streaks, with its size ranging from 1.5–1.8 cm across, having a fleshy stem, a creeping rhizome, and raceme inflorescence.

The specimen of Bamboo-Like Leafed Eria has been preserved in the Tippi Orchid Centre, West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. 

Concluding Note

Orchids have many uses and values. Isn't it fascinating that Arunachal Pradesh is home to such treasures? We must take action to safeguard and conserve their natural habitat. Please read Orchids of Arunachal - Part 1 and Orchids of Arunachal - Part 2 if you enjoyed this blog. It is worth a read!

Reference(s): Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh H. J. Chowdhery 1998; Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh S. N. Hegde 1984; IOSPE (Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia); An Illustrated Guide to the Orchids of Bhutan Dhan Bahadur Gurung; Orchids of Ziro Arunachal Pradesh Naresh Swami; Terrestrial Orchids Naresh Swami; www.orchidspecies.com; Orchid Database of Arunachal Pradesh (Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University).