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Phalaenopsis bellina flower

Phalaenopsis bellina is is a monopodial, epiphytic orchid species native to Borneo. It is one of about 60 species the genus Phalaenopsis. Today it is one of the most commonly cultivated species in the genus.

Taxonomy

Phalaenopsis comes from the greek word Phalaina, which means "moth", and the Latin word Bella, which means "beautiful". P. bellina was originally called P. violacea var. Borneo, however it has since been moved into its own species due to differences in habitat and plant morphology. The varieties include coerulea, rubra, alba, and murtoniana. The coerulea form has bluish-violet pigment as opposed to the typically magenta coloring of the species. The rubra form is solid magenta, however it is believed to be a hybrid between P. bellina and its sister species P. violacea. The alba form lacks all pigment, and the flowers thus appear white, and sometimes faintly green. The murtoniana form has a yellow-orange flower base, overlaid with random reddish blotches.

Description

Flowers

Star shaped, 5-6 cm in size, deeply saturated fuschia or violet near the base of sepals and petals. Interior half of the lower sepals typically display more coloration than other sepals and petals.

Inflorescence

Inflorescences emerge from the leaf axils arranged alternately on the main stem. Oftentimes they will puncture the leaf sheath that covers the stem. A single inflorescence typically carries only 2 or 3 flowers at a time, however more has been observed. Flowers may emerge from the tip of the inflorescence from spring through summer, and continue to do so for many years until the stem dries up.

Leaves

P. bellina has thick, succulent leaves. They are oval, light to medium green, and sometimes wavy. When mounted, leaves grow so that older, lower leaves are shifted towards the sides while new growth points downwards, in order to expose as much surface area to sunlight. Potted plants do not display this growth habit, so it is often recommended that plants be grown mounted to best expose leaves to light.

Roots

Phal. bellina has a fibrous root system typical of monocot plants, with roots usually emerging near the base of the stem. The root is composed of a spongy outer layer called the velamen, which is responsible for protecting underlying cells from UV rays and physical damage, as well as absorbing water. New growth emerges from the root tips, and is usually a light green color until the velamen matures and turns older roots grayish-green. Roots are thick and are capable of holding water for extended periods of drought. Dense root hairs emerge from the velamen and root tips to anchor plants to host trees or mounts.

Distribution

P. bellina is found in parts of Borneo, growing in the canopy of trees where they recieve abundant sunlight, and experience pronounced wet and dry cycles.