Phalaenopsis amabilis
{{Short description|Species of orchid}}
{{Speciesbox
| status = CITES_A2
| status_system = CITES
|image = Phalaenopsis amabilis Orchi 198.jpg
|image_caption =
|genus = Phalaenopsis
|species = amabilis
|authority = (L.) Blume{{WCSP |151132 |Palaenopsis amabilis}}
|synonyms = *Epidendrum amabile L.
Synonyms of Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis
- Phalaenopsis amabilis f. concolor Baume & Christenson
- Phalaenopsis amabilis f. fuscata (Rchb.f.) O.Gruss & M.Wolff
- Phalaenopsis amabilis var. fuscata Rchb.f.
- Phalaenopsis amabilis var. gloriosa (Rchb.f.) Brero
- Phalaenopsis amabilis var. ramosa van Deventer
- Phalaenopsis elisabethae Anon.
- Phalaenopsis gloriosa Rchb.f.
- Phalaenopsis grandiflora Lindl.
- Phalaenopsis rimestadiana (L.Linden) Rolfe
Synonyms of Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana
- Phalaenopsis celebica Vlooten
Synonyms of Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii
- Phalaenopsis amabilis var. rosenstromii (F.M.Bailey) Nicholls
- Phalaenopsis rosenstromii F.M.Bailey
|subdivision =
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana (Schltr.) Christenson
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii (F.M.Bailey) Christenson
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
}}
Phalaenopsis amabilis, commonly known as the moon orchid, moth orchid,{{cite web |title=ASEAN National Flowers |url=http://cia.sut.ac.th/ASEANInformation/AseanNationalFlowers.htm |publisher=Centre for International Affairs |accessdate=27 December 2018}} or mariposa orchid,{{cite news |last1=Lo |first1=Raymundo W. |title=What ails our orchid industry? |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/07/what-ails-our-orchid-industry/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=7 March 2023}} is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae. It is widely cultivated as a decorative houseplant. It is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with long, thick roots, between two and eight thick, fleshy leaves with their bases hiding the stem and nearly flat, white, long-lasting flowers on a branching flowering stem with up to ten flowers on each branch.
Phalaenopsis amabilis is native to Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. It has three subspecies: P. a. amabilis, native to the Philippines (Palawan), Malaysia (Borneo), Indonesia (Borneo, Sumatra, and Java); P. a. moluccana, native to the Maluku Islands (Seram and Buru Islands) and Sulawesi of Indonesia; and P. a. rosenstromii, native to Papua New Guinea and Australia (northeastern Queensland).{{cite journal |last1=Tsai |first1=Chi-Chu |last2=Chou |first2=Chang-Hung |author2-link=Chou Chang-hung |last3=Wang |first3=Hao-Ven |last4=Ko |first4=Ya-Zhu |last5=Chiang |first5=Tzen-Yuh |last6=Chiang |first6=Yu-Chung |title=Biogeography of the Phalaenopsis amabilis species complex inferred from nuclear and plastid DNAs |journal=BMC Plant Biology |date=16 August 2015 |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=202 |doi=10.1186/s12870-015-0560-z|pmid=26276316 |pmc=4537552 |doi-access=free }}
Phalaenospsis amabilis is one of the three national flowers of Indonesia, where it is known as {{lang|id|italic=no|anggrek bulan}} (lit. "moon orchid").
Description
Phalaenopsis amabilis is an epiphytic, rarely lithophytic herb with coarse, flattened, branching roots up to {{convert|1|m|ft|sigfig=2}} long and usually {{convert|3-4|mm|in|sigfig=2}} wide. Between two and eight fleshy, dark green, oblong to egg-shaped leaves {{convert|150-300|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long and {{convert|40-70|mm|in|sigfig=2}} wide are arranged in two rows along the stem. The stem is {{convert|100-300|mm|in|sigfig=2}} but hidden by the leaf bases. The flowers are arranged on a stiff, arching flowering stem {{convert|300-750|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long emerging from a leaf base, with a few branches near the tip. Each branch of the flowering stem bears between two and ten white, long-lasting flowers on a stalk (including the ovary) {{convert|20-35|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long. Each flower is {{convert|60-70|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long and {{convert|50-80|mm|in|sigfig=2}} wide with the sepals and petals free from and spreading widely apart from each other. The sepals are egg-shaped, {{convert|30-40|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long and about {{convert|20|mm|in|sigfig=2}} wide and the petals broadly egg-shaped to almost square, {{convert|30-40|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long and wide. The labellum is white with yellow and reddish markings, about {{convert|25|mm|in|sigfig=2}} long with three lobes. The side lobes curve upwards and partly surround the column. The middle lobe is cross-shaped with a rounded tip and two long, thread-like wavy arms. There is a large yellow callus near the base of the labellum. Flowering time depends on distribution but occurs from April to December in New Guinea.{{cite book|last1=Jones|first1=David L.|title=A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories|date=2006|publisher=New Holland|location=Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.|isbn=1877069124|page=440}}{{cite web |title=Phalaenopsis amabilis |url=http://www.orchidsnewguinea.com/orchid-information/species/speciescode/681 |publisher=Orchids of New Guinea |accessdate=26 December 2018}}{{cite web |title=Phalaenopsis amabilis |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:650501-1 |publisher=Kew Science: Plant of the World Online |accessdate=26 December 2018}}{{cite web |author1=D.L.Jones |author2=T.Hopley |author3=S.M.Duffy |author1-link=David L. Jones (botanist) |year=2010 |access-date=27 May 2021 |url=http://www.canbr.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/RFKOrchids/key/rfkorchids/Media/Html/Phalaenopsis_rosenstromii.htm |title=Factsheet - Phalaenopsis rosenstromii |website=Australian Tropical Rainforest Orchids |publisher=Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government}}
Taxonomy and naming
In 1750, before the system of binomial nomenclature had been formalised by Carl Linnaeus, Georg Eberhard Rumphius had collected the species on Ambon Island and described it as Angraecum albus majus in his book Herbarium Amboinense.{{cite book |last1=Rumphius |first1=Georg Eberhard |title=Herbarium amboinense (Volume 6)|date=1750 |location=Amsterdam |page=99 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/10356#page/144/mode/1up |accessdate=27 December 2018}} Linnaeus described it in Species Plantarum giving it the binomial Epidendrum amabile{{WCSP |67753 |Epidendrum amabile}}{{cite book |last1=Linnaeus |first1=Carl |title=Species Plantarum (Volume 2) |date=1753 |location=Stockholm |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/13830#page/395/mode/1up |accessdate=26 December 2018}} and in 1825, Carl Ludwig Blume changed the name to Phalaenopsis amabilis.{{cite book |last1=Blume |first1=Carl Ludwig |title=Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië |date=1825 |location=Batavia |page=294 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/9224#page/11/mode/1up |accessdate=26 December 2018}} The specific epithet (amabilis) is a Latin word meaning "lovely".{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Roland Wilbur|authorlink1=Roland W. Brown|title=The Composition of Scientific Words|date=1956|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington, D.C.|page =84}}
Subspecies
There are three subspecies of P. amabilis recognised by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families:
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis{{WCSP |151134 |Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. amabilis}} which is the most widespread subspecies and is distinguished from the other subspecies by its cross-shaped labellum middle lobe, the base of which has yellow and red markings;{{cite journal |last1=Tsai |first1=Chi-Chu |last2=Chou |first2=Chang-Hung |last3=Wang |first3=Hao-Ven |last4=Ko |first4=Ya-Zhu |last5=Chiang |first5=Tzen-Yuh |last6=Chiang |first6=Yu-Chung |title=Biogeography of the Phalaenopsis amabilis species complex inferred from nuclear and plastid DNAs |journal=BMC Plant Biology |date=16 August 2015 |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=202 |doi=10.1186/s12870-015-0560-z |pmid=26276316 |pmc=4537552 |doi-access=free }}
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana (Schltr.) Christenson{{WCSP |151137 |Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana}} which has a linear-oblong labellum middle lobe, with a slight dilation at its base where there are yellow and white markings;
- Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii (F.M.Bailey) Christenson{{WCSP |151140 |Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii}} which has a relatively short, triangular labellum middle lobe where the markings are yellow;
In Australia, subspecies rosenstromii is recognised as Phalaenopsis rosenstromii by the Australian Plant Census.{{cite web |title=Phalaenopsis rosenstromii |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/search?product=APC&tree.id=51209179&name=Phalaenopsis+rosenstromii&inc._scientific=&inc.scientific=on&inc._cultivar=&max=100&display=apc&search=true |publisher=Australian Plant Census |accessdate=27 December 2018}} It was discovered by Gus Rosenstrom "on trees, high from the ground, Daintree River" and was first formally described by Frederick Manson Bailey who published the description in the Queensland Agricultural Journal.{{cite web|title=Phalaenopsis rosenstromii|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/473660|publisher=APNI|accessdate=27 December 2018}}{{cite web |title=Phalaenopsis rosenstromii, its systematics, distribution, conservation and propagation |url=https://www.australianorchidfoundation.org.au/302-2015/ |publisher=The Australian Orchid Foundation |accessdate=27 December 2018}}
Distribution and habitat
Phalaenopsis amabilis usually grows on trees, rarely on rocks, in rainforest where the humidity is high but there is free air movement. Subspecies amabilis has the widest distribution and occurs from Palawan in the southern Philippines to Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Subspecies moluccana is separated from subspecies amabilis by the Wallace Line and is found in Sulawesi as well as Seram and Buru in the Moluccas. Subspecies rosenstromii is native to New Guinea and Australia where it occurs on the Cape York Peninsula between the Iron Range and the Paluma Range National Park. It is separated from subspecies moluccana by Lydekker's Line.
Conservation
Phalaenopsis rosenstromii was listed as "endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 but the listing was updated to Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii in May 2016. The main threat to the subspecies in Australia is illegal collecting.{{cite web |title=Approved Conservation Advice for Phalaenopsis rosenstromii |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/87535-conservation-advice-05052016.pdf |publisher=Australian Government Department of the Environment |accessdate=27 December 2018}}
Use in horticulture
Phalaenopsis amabilis is reported to be very easy to grow as a houseplant, as long as attention is paid to a correct feeding and watering regimen. It thrives in a domestic temperature range of {{convert|17-22|C|F|abbr=on}}, in bright indirect light such as that offered by an east- or west-facing window. Specialist orchid compost and feed is widely available. Species and cultivars in the genus Phalaenopsis are recommended for beginners.{{cite web | url = https://www.gardening-advice.net/phalaenopsis-orchid-care.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100802105436/http://www.gardening-advice.net/phalaenopsis-orchid-care.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = August 2, 2010 | title = Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Instructions | publisher = Organic Gardening Advice | accessdate = 24 April 2018}}
In cultivation in the United Kingdom, Phalaenopsis amabilis has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/119644/i-Phalaenopsis-amabilis-i/Details
| title = RHS Plantfinder - Phalaenopsis amabilis | accessdate = 24 April 2018}}{{cite web
| url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017
| page = 76 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 24 April 2018}}
Phalaenopsis amabilis is one of the parents of Phalaenopsis Harriettiae, reportedly the first man-made Phalaenopsis hybrid, created by John Veitch and recorded in 1887.{{cite journal |author=Sarah Forsyth |year=2011 |title=Top of the pots |journal=The Garden |volume=136 |issue=12 |page=33 |publisher=RHS Media }}
Importance
Phalaenopsis amabilis ({{langx|id|anggrek bulan}} meaning "moon orchid") is one of the three national flowers in Indonesia, the other two being the sambac jasmine and padma raksasa. It was officially recognized as national "flower of charm" ({{langx|id|puspa pesona}}) in Presidential Decree No. 4 in 1993.[http://www.proxsis.com/perundangan/LH/doc/uu/F00-1993-00004.pdf Keputusan Presiden No. 4 Tahun 1993] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402234237/http://www.proxsis.com/perundangan/LH/doc/uu/F00-1993-00004.pdf |date=2012-04-02 }}
The orchid is also the official flower of Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia.{{Cite web|url=http://dbkk.sabah.gov.my/index.php/ms/info-dbkk/info-korporat/maskot-bandaraya|title=Maskot Bandaraya}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons-inline|Phalaenopsis amabilis|Phalaenopsis amabilis}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1069597}}
Category:Orchids of New Guinea
Category:Orchids of the Philippines
Category:National symbols of Indonesia
Category:Plants described in 1753