Seidenfadenia mitrata

Common Name - The Bishop Mitre Seidenfadenia

The only representative of the genus Seidenfadenia is interesting especially for the dispropotion between the lengths of its monopodial erect stem and the partly overhanging leaves . While the length of the shoot does not exceed 4.8 in/12 cm , the fleshy leaves - semicircular in cross-section -reach length of 16 -36 in /40 -90 (!) cm. Cultivators of this epiphytic species will also appreciate its fragrant attractive flowers growing in large numbers on a diagonally projecting spike. The Seidenfadenia mitrata flower spike is always shorter than the leaves . The flower is 0.5 in/1.2 cm across ,with tepals colored in compination of whitish ,pink and purple , as with the lip ,which is only a shade darker . Seidenfadenia mitrata ought to be grown epiphytially ,with amaximum possible amount of diffused light and , during the vegitation period,hearty watering and fertilizer (much like Vanda orchids ). It blooms between March and May and was discovered in Thailand and Burma.

Synonyms

*Aerides mitratum Rchb.f 1864