Grammatophyllum scriptum [Lindley]Blume 1849

Inflorescence

Flower CloseupPhoto courtesy of Jay Pfahl

LATE and

Common Name The Written Grammatophyllum

Flower Size 1 3/4" [4.5 cm]

A large to giant, hot growing epiphyte with ovoid to ellipsoid, laterally compressed, pseudobulbs carrying 5 to 8 broad, coriaceous, linear-ligulate, dull green, basally clasping leaves that blooms on a basal, 4' [120 cm] long, erect to arching, many waxy flowered, racemose inflorescence arising on a mature pseudobulb that has imperfect flowers at the bottom few rows and many [100], waxy, color variable, heavy textured, campanulate flowers occuring in the late spring or summer. It can become a huge plant, and is from SE Asia and out to Papua and New Guinea and is found at elevations of sealevel to 100 meters always close to the coast, overhanging beaches, lagoons, and coconut plantations on tree trunks and branches and likes bright light. A trick for better presentation of the flower is to take the top petal and bend it backwards and relax the bow in the petal with your fingers until it looks open, allowing the flower to present itself fully wide open

The Amboin Island native people make a paste from the pseudobulb of G scriptum to heal sores.

Other peoples within this species range use this plant to cure intestinal ailments and a cleanser for worms.

People of the Spice Islands have been known to make a love potion from the seeds of this species.

Synonyms Cymbidium scriptum [L] Sw. 1799; Cymbidium scriptum Stued. 1841; *Epidendrum scriptum L.; Eulophia scripta Lindl. 1833; Gabertia scripta [L]Gaud. 1826; Grammatophyllum boweri FvM. 1883; Grammatophyllum celebicum Schltr.] 1913; Grammatophyllum guilelmii Kraenzl. 1894 ; Grammatophyllum guilielmi-secundi Krzl. 1894; Grammatophyllum leopardinum Rchb.f 1888; Grammatophyllum multiflorum var. tigrinum Lindl. 1842; Grammatophyllum scriptum f. citrinum Valmayor & D.Tiu in H.L.Valmayor 1984; Grammatophyllum scriptum var. boweri (F.Muell.) Schltr. 1912; Grammatophyllum scriptum var minahassae Schltr. 1911; Grammatophyllum scriptum var. tigrinum (Lindl.) Holttum 1964; Grammatophyllum seegerianum hort. 1896; Vanda scripta [L]Spreng. 1828

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchidaceae of German New Guinea Schlechter 1912/1985; AOS Bulletin Vol 28 No 4 1959; AOS Bulletin Vol 28 No 5 1959; AOS Bulletin Vol 33 No 3 1964 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 47 No 6 1978; Orchidiana Philippiana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984; A Checklist of the Orchids of Borneo Wood & Cribb 1994; AOS Bulletin Vol 67 No 3 1998 drawing as G multifloum var tigrinum; Orchid Australia Vol 11 No 5 1999 photo; Orchid Australia Vol 11 No 6 1999 photo; Orchid Australia Vol 12 No 1 2000 photo; Lindleyana Vol 17 No 1 2002; Flora Malesiana Orchids of the Philippines Vol I Agoo, Shuiteman and de Vogel 2003; AOS Bulletin Vol 73 No 3 2004; AOS Bulletin Vol 74 No 7 2005 photo; AOS Bulletin Vol 76 No 9 2007 photo;

Grammatophyllum scriptum [Lindley]Blume 1849 var citrinum Photo by © Eric Hunt and His Orchid Website

Inflorescence Photo courtesy of Nik Fahmi and his Vortex Orchid Page.

A color variety of the previous species.

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchidaceae of German New Guinea Schlechter 1985; Flora Malesiana Orchids of the Philippines Vol I Agoo, Shuiteman and de Vogel 2003; AOS Bulletin Vol 75 No 10 2006 photo;

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