Have you been following our series, the Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh? If you are new here, check out the Orchids of Arunachal - Part 1, Orchids of Arunachal - Part 2, Orchids of Arunachal - Part 3, Orchids of Arunachal - Part 4.  The series highlights the rare, exotic and unique orchids that are found in Arunachal Pradesh, and why the state is known as The Orchid State of India. Without further ado, let's dive into the realm of orchids.

Satyrium nepalense

The Nepalese Satyrium can be identified by its Rose-pink or white-coloured flowers, its flowering season is Summer; from July to September, and can extend to December. It is a rare terrestrial orchid which can be used as a revitalising tonic by consuming the dried and powdered tubers of its plants.

 This exotic orchid belongs to the Satyrieae tribe and its subtribe is Satyriinae from the Genus: Satyrium and the Species: nepalense of the Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum variety.

 Ecologically, it is a Monopodial plant that has a Terrestrial habitat and can be found at a minimum altitude of 200 m and a maximum altitude of 3000 m in subtropical, temperate and tropical forests.

 Germplasm availability in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is in the East Kameng, East Siang, Lohit, Tirap, Upper Siang, West Kameng, and West Siang districts. Tippi Orchid Centre has its specimens preserved in the centre.

Acanthephippium sylhetense 

Commonly known as The Sylhet Acanthephippium, Acanthephippium sylhetense orchid belongs to the sub-family of Epidendroideae, Tribe: Bletieae, Sub-Tribe: Bletiinae from Genus: Acanthephippium and Species: sylhetense.

 It is a Sympodial orchid which can be found at an elevation of 1000m minimum and 1500 maximum in a Terrestrial habitat. The season of the flower is Spring and its flowering duration is April to June with dull white, blotched yellow-coloured flowers having a fleshy stem, Sheaths Covered Rhizome, Raceme Inflorescence, and flower Size of 2.5-3 cm across.

According to RGU, Ronohills database, germplasm availability in the State of Arunachal Pradesh is the Districts: Upper Siang and West Siang. Apart from the Tropical forests, one can witness this orchid in the Orchidariums: Dirang Orchid Centre and Tippi Orchid Centre of Arunachal Pradesh.

 Dendrobium crepidatum

This unique, white with pink tinge flowered orchid belongs to the sub-family of Epidendroideae under the Dendrobeae tribe and Dendrobiinae subtribe. This flower is so unique that it's even commonly known as The Shoe-Lip Dendrobium due to its outer features. Vernacularly, it is named Mei Gui Shi Hu in China, and Ueang Sai Nam Khieo in Thailand.

 Its specimens were collected from various parts of Arunachal Pradesh in the Sessa; Tissa; Tupi, Tirap; Dezling areas by Dr. S. N. Hegde, Dr. A. N. Rao and Dr. O. Apang. Its Germplasm Availability is in East Kameng, East Siang, Lohit, Lower Subansiri, Tirap, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, West Kameng, and West Siang districts.

 This epiphytic orchid is a Sympodial plant thriving at an altitude of 500 m - 1000 m high in tropical forests. The plant can be identified as having a slender stem, a creeping rhizome, a Raceme inflorescence and a flower size of 2.5-4.5 cm across. Its flowering period is March-May and can be seen in full bloom during the Spring and Winter seasons.

Dendrobium densiflorum Wall

Another orchid that comes from the sub-family of Epidendroideae is the Dendrobium densiflorum Wall, also commonly known as the Pineapple Orchid/ Densely Flowered Orchid due to its flowering features. It belongs to the Tribe: Dendrobeae,

Sub-Tribe: Dendrobiinae of Genus: Dendrobium and Species: densiflorum.

 It was first collected in Arunachal Pradesh from the sites: Balukpong; Tipi; and Dezling by Dr. S. N. Hegde and Dr. O. Apang. The germplasm availability of its species in the state is East Kameng and West Kameng districts. This epiphytic plant has a sympodial habit which occurs in Tropical forests at an altitude of 500 m - 1500 m in Arunachal Pradesh. The flowers bloom in the Spring season, with the flowering duration from April to May, having cute pale yellow flowers in a size of 4-5 cm across, a slender stem, a creeping rhizome, and a raceme inflorescence. Witness this beautiful orchid preserved in the Orchidariums: Dirang Orchid Centre, Sessa Orchid Centre and Tippi Orchid Centre.

The man behind the identification of orchids in Arunachal Pradesh

Dr A.N Rao is one of the most renowned Orchidologists in India; he has researched, identified and discovered several rare and new orchids in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Most of the orchids identified in the state till now are credited under his belt. Even after several findings, the biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh is so vast and uncovered, that there are more findings of orchid species yet to be made.

Reference(s): Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh H. J. Chowdhery 1998; Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh S. N. Hegde 1984; An Illustrated Guide to the Orchids of Bhutan Dhan Bahadur Gurung; www.orchidspecies.com; Terrestrial Orchids Naresh Swami; Orchids of Ziro Arunachal Pradesh Naresh Swami; IOSPE (Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia); Rajiv Gandhi University Orchid Database 2022