Orchid

Orchid 

In the diversity of Nature's flowering plants, nothing can quite compare with the sheer fascination and intense beauty of the orchid. Yet It was only during the 19th century that the orchid's aesthetic appeal became generally recognized. Since then the orchid has epitomized the height of floral excellence, as well as horticulture luxury, and even today it is viewed with a mixture of admiration and awe.

The orchid is a strange plant that certainly demands respect. Indeed there are many unique features characterizing the members of the family Orchidaceae. It is, for instance, the largest and the most recently evolved family of the entire plant kingdom, numbering 30,000 species. These species are distributed in widely divergent locations around the world. Some exist at comparatively high altitudes, while others thrive in low-lying tropical swamps.

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The majority of the species remained as terrestrials. However, in order to overcome the competition for light on the forest floor, some intrepid species made an evolutionary quantum leap forward by establishing themselves on branches in the canopy of the trees. Some of the roots of these extraordinary plants run along the host tree to absorb humus from the fissures of the bark, while aerial roots extract moisture from the atmosphere. This phenomenon, called epiphytism, is more extensive in the Orchidaceae than any other plant family.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the orchid is the formation of the flower. Orchids are similar to their closest relations, the lilies, in having three petals and three sepals - the parts that protect the bud. But one of the petals is always modified in a particular way, presenting an array of physical representations on which the imagination can feast. These forms can vary from a shoe-shaped pouch, to an apron, or even a lip. Usually this special petal has a different colour pattern from the others sometimes the largest the flower.

Being endowed with a climate so conductive to plant growth, it is only natural that Sri Lanka is particularly rich in orchid flora. In fact there occur on the island some 170 wild species - 75 of which are endemic - and they form the third largest order of flowering plants.

Although members of the family Orchidaceae prosper in Sri Lanka’s varying altitudes and climate zones, most bear flowers that are small and pale of colouring, and therefore inconspicuous. Nevertheless, these short-comings are more than adequately made up for by the flowers’ variety of shape, especially when they are viewed under magnification. Of those producing large flowers, Sri Lanka’s commonest, best-known and perhaps most cultivated wild species is the Grey Orchid (Vanda tessellate). This epiphyte is found in the country’s dry zone and prefers the mara, palu or tamarind

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tree as host. It is also called the Anuradhapura Orchid because it is found in abundance on the trees around the tanks in the Anuradhapura area. This species, which is common to the Asian mainland, has a peculiarity in that different plants produce flowers with different colours. Indeed, over 50 colour forms are known, mostly, in subtle shades of grey, blue, green, pink, red and yellow, with tessellations or spots of a darker colour. Delicately scented, these flowers usually bloom between March and September, although some can be seen at most times of the year.

Another well-known species is the Vesak Orchid (Dendrobium maccarthiae) which is endemic to the island. This stunningly beautiful violet-pink orchid requires a hot and humid environment, preferring the country’s wet zone, especially the Ratnapura district. It begins to effloresce in the Vesak month of May, hence the name, and continues until July. The attraction of orchids usually lies in their magnificent flowers, but this is not so with the various Jewel species. The flowers of these terrestrial plants, although possessing an extraordinary (tinged lip, are of little consequence when compared to the leaves. Small in size, these are lattice-worked in opulent hues of copper, orange, green and silver.

Undoubtedly, Sri Lanka’s best-known Jewel Orchid is Anoectochilus setaceous, which is to be found in the deep shade and high humidity of the forest floor in the country’s wet zone, notably the Sinharaja. This fascinating plant is one of only a few that bears a Sinhala name, Wana-rajah, which is supposed to refer to the velvety sheen of the leaves. Other interesting species include the Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa), whose tiny white and purple flowers hang fluffily from a long stalk - hence its popular name - and the rare Pitcher Orchid (Acanthephippium bicolor). This little known species is a delight to behold in full bloom, with its long green leaves and clusters of yellow and red pitcher shaped flowers.

Fortunately, the Pitcher Orchid favours the secluded parts of the jungle. And so its imposing flowers mostly elude the depredations of unscrupulous collectors and dealers. This is not the case with other species, such as the Star Orchid (Phaius tancarvilleae), which used to be found along the roadsides of the hill country, but whose accessibility has meant its virtual disappearance. Indeed, many of Sri Lanka’s wild species are now under threat - due to loss of natural habitat and environmental degradation, as well as commercial exploitation.

Some species have been valued down the ages for their medicinal properties, and even today feature in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of the island. For instance, the Grey Orchid is used for treating dyspepsia, while the Wana-rajah is highly regarded as a remedy for snakebites. Another species with a local name, Naga-marap-ala (Ipsea speciosa), has a legend surrounding it that has ensured its demand as an aphrodisiac.

There are several ‘Orchidariums’ I in Sri Lanka whose collections reflect the country’s distinctive panoply of this plant type, as well as the more universally popular hybrids of the tropics and semi-tropics. The most famous is the Orchid House, Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, where many genera of orchids are represented in a breath-taking display of colour and fragrance. Among them are Oendrobium, Cattleya,Vanda, ’hataenopsis ,Coelogyne, Oncidium, tanhopea, Arachnanthe,Calanthe, Aerides.

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Nevertheless, it was a local, Dr Ernest Soysa, who in 1934 founded the still flourishing Orchid Circle of Ceylon to bring together the many amateur growers. Dr Soysa forged links with orchid growers throughout the world, which led to a number of hybrids befog named after the country's leading personalities.

The growing of orchids for commercial purposes started in earnest in 1968 with the formation of Lakmalsala, reputedly the world’s first cooperative of orchid (and anthurium) growers. Since then the domestic and tourist cut flower trade has expanded considerably, as can be witnessed in homes, hotels, restaurants - and the cabins of aircraft leaving Sri Lanka, for orchids are a suitably exotic short-term reminder of a visit to the island. Don’t just buy them, though, for the identification of the many types can be a satisfying voyage of discovery. *