holcoglossum-amesianum

Species of this genus are oftern included among Vanda orchids . But while they are closely related to Vandas,they differ in details of the flower anatamy-such as a long spur ,or a differently shaped lip. There are differences also in the overall appearance of the plants and the way they grow their foliage.H.amesianum does not stand out from the genus as far as appearance is concerned : its leafless,stiff stem gradually lignifies and never stops adding in growth ,and it bears two raws of tough ,thin leaves that are semicircular in cross-section and reach lengths of up to 8 in/20 cm. The erect inflorescence is formed in the armpits of the upper leaves and bears 15-30 blunt-spurred flowers with oval white tepals and a forward -protruding pinkish red lip with decorative edges . Grow the species as you would other Holcoglossum orchids (see H.kimballianum). The plant blooms in the winter and comes from southern China,Burma,Vietnam, Laos ,Combodia and Thailand .