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Ludisia discolor (green form)

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Ludisia discolor (green form)

Family Name: Orchidaceae
Synonyms: Haemaria discolor
Common Name: Jewel Orchid

This Jewel Orchid is the green form of the Ludisia discolor which is much loved for its light green velvety leaves marked with whitish green veins. This herbaceous plant grows well as indoor plant under partial light on a well-drained, moist soil.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 10 mm to 60 mm
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 10 mm to 45 mm

Biogeography

Native Distribution Southern China, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra)
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Highland / Montane
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)
CITES Protection True (Appendix II)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Terrestrial orchid with erect growth habit.
Foliage Bright green leaves (5 - 8 cm long) with whitish green venation. The velvety leaves are narrowly ovate to elliptic with entire leaf margin.
Stems Succulent
Flowers Small flowers of white petals with yellow center. They are arranged in spike inflorescences borne on long stalks (30 cm long)
Cultivation This orchid is easy-to-grow. It should be planted in fertile, well-drained, but moist soil (eg., potting mix for African violets or a mixture of fine bark, coconut peat and isolite). Plants grow well in partial shade to shade (85 - 90%). It prefers moist air, so place potted plants next to other plants to increase humidity. Avoid overwatering which leads to root rot.
Etymology The species epithet "discolor" means that the plant is composed of 2 different colours.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping This species is grown for its ornamental foliage which has striking venation. It is suitable as an indoor plant and grows well in terrariums.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Terrarium, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Planting Remarks Use a well drained yet moisture retentive media for this species; although they can be grown as potted plants outdoors in shaded areas (e.g. under the shade of trees)  under our local conditions, this species tends to perform better under cooler conditions (less than 25'c). It can be prone to attack by snails and slugs when grown outdoors. Do not allow media to become too wet and soggy as this can cause the plants to rot. 
Transplanting Tolerance Moderate
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Pest(s) Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects
Propagation Method Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green, Green - Light Green, White
Young Flush Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Flowering Period A Few Times Yearly, Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 32484
Species ID 6896
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.
Species record last updated on: 08 May 2023.
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