Phalaenopsis fimbriata J.J. Sm. 1921 SUBGENUS Polychilos SECTION Amboinenses Sweet 1968

Photo by © Lourens Grobler

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Common Name The Fimbriate Phalenopsis refers to the fimbriate trichomes on the mid-lobe of the lip

Flower Size 1 to 1 1/2" [2.5 to 4 cm]

Found on the Islands of Java, Sumatra and Sarawak at elevations of 790 to 1300 meters on limestone cliffs in moss and on trees in dappled sun as a medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte with a short stem enveloped by persistent, imbricating leaf sheaths carrying suberect, oblong-elliptic to elliptic obovate, acute or obtuse leaves that blooms in the spring on a recurved, 11" [27 cm] long, racemose or paniculate, laxly many flowered inflorescence with small ovate-triangular bracts and has simultaneous opening, fleshy flowers.

Synonyms Phalaenopsis fimbriata f. alba O.Gruss & Roellke ex Christenson 2001; Phalaenopsis fimbriata subsp. sumatrana (J.J.Sm.) Christenson 2001; Phalaenopsis fimbriata var. sumatrana J.J.Sm. 1932; Polychilos fimbriata (J.J. Sm.) Shim 1982

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; AOS Bulletin Vol 35 No 1 1966 drawing; AOS Bulletin Vol 38 No 1 1969 drawing; Orchids of Java Comber 1990; Phalaenopsis, A Monograph EA Christenson 2001; Orchids of Sumatra Comber 2002

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