Phalaenopsis honghenensis

Phalaenopsis honghenensis, also known as 红河蝴蝶兰 (hong he hu die lan) in Chinese, is a species of orchid native to Southeast China and Vietnam.[1] The specific epithet honghenensis refers to Honghe, China.

detail of striped labellum
entire plant with verrucose roots and absent leaves

Phalaenopsis honghenensis
flower detail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Phalaenopsis
Species:
P. honghenensis
Binomial name
Phalaenopsis honghenensis
Fowlie
distribution of Phalaenopsis honghenensis
Synonyms
  • Doritis honghenensis (F.Y.Liu) T.Yukawa & K.Kita

Description

Like other members of Phalaenopsis subgen. Aphyllae, this plant exhibits deciduous leaflessness. However, it usually has 1-2 leaves, which are produced on up to 1 cm long stems, which are imbricated in leaf bases. The 5-7 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide leaves are obliquely elliptic and show purple spotting. Verrucose, photosynthetic adventitious roots radiate from the stem. Pink to pale green, 2.9 cm wide flowers are produced on 3-6 flowered, up to 7.7 cm long racemes. A small spur is produced by the labellum.[2]

Taxonomy

One author, Chen, regards this taxon as synonym of Phalaenopsis braceana, which is in turn a synonym of Phalaenopsis taenialis. In practice, Phalaenopsis braceana was applied to several different species.[3] The variable colouration may be a source of confusion. The flowers may be rose pink or infused with green.
The true phylogenetic relationships within the subgenus Aphyllae are disputed. A dozen species have been described in this complex and various authors have synonymized these taxa. An agreement is difficult to reach and the high variability of characteristics, in addition to the dependence on miute details complicates the situation. Due to frequent misidentifications of published photographies, the confusion persists, which is further enforced by the wide distributions of species involved in the complex.[4]

Ecology

This species grows in elevations of 2000 m.

Conservation

International trade is regulated through the CITES appendix II regulations of international trade.[5]

References
  1. "Phalaenopsis honghenensis F.Y.Liu | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". powo.science.kew.org. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  2. Wu, Z., Raven, P. H. (2009). Flora of China. United States: Science Press.
  3. Dalström, S., Gyeltshen, N., & Höijer, T. (2010). Phalaenopsis taenialis: a case of split personality. Orchids, 79(8), 468-471.
  4. Dalström, S. (2006). Notes from the OIC: It Is Not Easy Being Green. Selbyana, 27(2), 208–214. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41760284
  5. "Phalaenopsis". CITES.
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