Paraphalaenopsis

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iParaphalaenopsis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe: Aeridinae
Alliance: Phalaenopsis
Genus: Paraphalaenopsis
A.D.Hawkes
Species

Four species

The genus Paraphalaenopsis (A.D.Hawkes 1963) is a member of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae).

It consists of only four warm-growing species:

  • Paraphalaenopsis denevei (W. Borneo; very rare species; most cultivated plants are actually hybrids)
  • Paraphalaenopsis labukensis (N. Borneo; becoming rare in the wild but very common in cultivation)
  • Paraphalaenopsis laycockii (C. & NW. Borneo; rare species in the wild but common in cultivation)
  • Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua (W. & S. Borneo; rare species in the wild but common in cultivation)

There is one natural (unconfirmed) hybrid: Paraphalaenopsis × thorntonii (P. denevei × P. serpentilingua).

These species are endemic to Borneo. They are morphologically similar to Phalaenopsis and were a long time considered as species of that genus. Their flowers are similar, but the leaves of Paraphalaenopsis are cylindrical and long (from 35cm up to 3m in cultivation) and resemble the leaves of the Holcoglossum. These are epiphytes that bloom in early spring.

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