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Polystachya neobenthamia Schltr.
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Neobenthamia gracilis Rolfe, Polystachya holtzeana Kraenzl. |
| Common Name: | The Graceful Neobenthamia |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Lithophyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tanzania. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A terrestrial herb, it has a branching growth form and can grow up to 90 to 120 cm tall. It is sometimes a lithophyte orchid which grows on rocky slopes. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are thin and linear in shape, the leaf tip is split into two narrow lobes. |
| Stems | The sub-erect stems are thin and bamboo-like. |
| Flowers | Fragrant flowers. The flowers are borne in short, terminal racemes and can grow up to 2.5cm wide. The flower sepals and petals are white. The flower lip is white and has a yellow streak running down the middle with pink-purple speckles around the streak. The flower anther cap is dull purple in colour. |
| Etymology | The genus Polystachya means many-spiked, which refers to the inflorescence. The specific epithet gracilis means delicate or thin, which refers to the stem appearance. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32051 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6456 |
| 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. |