Neofinetia falcata

Neofinetia falcata
Neofinetia falcata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Genus: Neofinetia
Species: N. falcata
Binomial name
Neofinetia falcata
H.H. Hu 1925
Synonyms

Orchis falcata Thunb.
Aerides thunbergii Miq.
Angorchis falcata (Lindl.) Kuntze
Angraecum falcatum (Thunb.) Lindley
Finetia falcata (Thunb.) Schlechter
Holcoglossum falcatum (Thunb.) Garay
Vanda falcata (Thunb.) Beer

Neofinetia falcata is a species of orchid found in China, Korea, and Japan.

Traditional cultivated chimeric and monstrous forms in Japan are known under the name of 富貴蘭 (fūkiran).

Description

Plants are 8–12 cm tall on monopodial stems of 1–6 cm. There are usually between 4 and 20 narrowly oblong-falcate (hence the epithet) leaves of 5–12 cm. that are leathery and sheathed at the base. The inflorescence, including flowers, is 5–8 cm. long, suberect, and carries as few as two, and as many as 10 fragrant, white flowers, each with a characteristic curved spur. 2n = 38.[1]

Ecology

N. falcata usually grows as an epiphyte on the branches and trunks of deciduous trees. This means the plants receive high levels of light during the months of winter and early spring (2000~3600 fc.), an important factor in the number of blooms produced. The orchids grow at angles to the branches of their host, which allows water to drain away quickly after rains, thus avoiding bacterial rot. Numerous whitish roots grow from the base of the plant, anchoring it to its host and collecting nutrients washed down from above. These roots are accustomed to excellent air movement. An adult in an optimal situation will produce numerous offsets.

Within N. falcata's range summer temperatures average 26–31 °C. during the day and 18–23 °C. at night. Average humidity is 80–85% in summer, and about 75% during the rest of the seasons. Plants receive heaviest rainfall during East Asian rainy season: June and July in southern Japan. Blooming time is usually synchronized with the monsoon, although plants may very occasionally bloom as late as December.[2]

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

The type species was introduced to the West from Japan by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784, and named Orchis falcata. For the next hundred years and more, the species was renamed and moved in and out of many of the Asian sarcanthoid genera. Finally, in 1925 H. H. Hu created Neofinetia as a monotypic genus.

History of Cultivation

In pre-industrial Japan, samurai cultivated N. falcata.[3]

Culture

N. falcata is a warm to cool grower. Plants may be mounted on slabs of cork or tree-fern fiber. In Japan, the custom is to grow them on a raised mound of sphagnum moss. The plants require a cool, bright winter rest, and frequent watering when in growth.

Neofinetia falcata
Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden, Osaka, Japan
Neofinetia falcata 富貴蘭；朝日殿
Neofinetia falcata 富貴蘭；青海

Hybrids

(As listed by the RHS:[4])

Notes

  1. ↑ "178. NEOFINETIA" (PDF). Flora of China. 25: 483–484. 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Baker, Charles & Margaret. "Neofinetia falcata culture sheet". Orchid Species Culture. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  3. ↑ Hansen, Eric (2000). Orchid Fever. London: Methuen Publishing Ltd. p. 62. ISBN 0-413-74740-9.
  4. ↑ The Royal Horticultural Society

References

See also

Media related to Neofinetia at Wikimedia Commons

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