Object Details
- Description
- This medium to large sized orchid was the cause of much excitement when it was first brought to Europe in 1847, due to its large, blue flowers. Many expeditions were sent to gather the orchid, imperiling it. The medical properties of this orchid are currently being researched.
- Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
- August to December; peaks in November
- Medicinal / Pharmaceutical
- In India, the flowers have been used to treat chest conditions, and juice from the leaves to treat diarrhea and dysentary, and skin conditions externally.
- Provenance
- From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
- Range
- Arunachal Pradesh to China (S Yunnan) and Indo-China
- Habitat
- On exposed, dwarf oak trees in forests with dry season; 2625-5600ft (800-1700m)
- Topic
- Orchids
- Living Collections
- See more items in
- Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
- Data Source
- Smithsonian Gardens
- Accession Number
- 2018-1008A
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Common Name
- The Blue Vanda
- Group
- [vascular plants]
- Class
- Equisetopsida
- Subclass
- Magnoliidae
- Superorder
- Lilianae
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Subfamily
- Epidendroideae
- Genus
- Vanda
- Species
- coerulea
- Life Form
- Epiphytic
- Bloom Characteristics
- Erect or suberect inflorescence is up to 2 feet (.6 meters) long with few to several long-lasting white flowers covered in a blue crosshatch. Flowers are 4" (10 cm) across.
- Fragrance
- Fragrant
- Plant Size
- 20-75" x 18-30" (51-191 x 46-76 cm), excluding inflorescence
- Record ID
- ofeo-sg_2018-1008A
Related Object Groups
3D Model