papilionanthe vandarum

Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Genus: Papilionanthe

Papilionanthe vandarum are a very rare and unique members of the subtribe Aeridinae. They are native to Assam, eastern Himalayas, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanamar and southern China at elevations of 1200 to 1750 meters.

P. vandarum grow best in cool to warm temperatures in areas with high humidity and lots of sunlight. These plants are large in size, forming masses of branched, hanging, flexous stems. The leaves are long-pointed with longitudinaly grooved leaf bases. One to four flowers bloom in the spring from the axils of these leaves, often in pairs. They are naturally white in color with a purple base. Flower sizes range between 3.8 to 5 cm. The flower stalks are pink. One to four flowers bloom in the spring, often in pairs.

Papilionanthe vandarum translation: Vanda-Like Papilionanthe, Aerides vandarum