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Pelatantheria insectifera (Rchb.f.) Ridl.
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Sarcanthus insectifer Rchb.f. |
| Common Name: | The Insect-Bearing Pelatanthera |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Myanmar and Thailand. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A climbing, monopodial orchid. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are short and oval to linear-shaped. |
| Flowers | The flowers are borne on short, axillary racemes which can bear up to five flowers. The flowers have green petals and sepals with maroon stripes and a pink tongue-shaped flower lip. Flowers is about 1.5 cm in diameter. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | This species can be differentiated from Pelatantheria rivesii due to the flowers of Pelatantheria rivesii having a toothed and hairy column. |
| Habitat | Found in evergreen, lowland forests on limestone rocks, and miniature bushes. |
| Similar | Similar to Pelatanthera rivesii, but P. insectifera has a toothed and hairy column, while P. rivesii does not. |
| Cultivation | It is ideally planted under light shade and mounted or grown in and a very free-draining and aerated growing medium. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Skyrise / Balcony |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Tissue Culture |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Emarginate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy, Thick / Fleshy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Labiate / Lipped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31501 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5898 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |