| Rhynchostylis retusa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Vandeae |
| Subtribe: | Aeridinae |
| Genus: | Rhynchostylis |
| Species: | R. retusa |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchostylis retusa |
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| Synonyms | |
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Rhynchostylis retusa (also called Foxtail Orchid) is an exotic blooming orchid, belonging to Vanda alliance. The orchid has a bunch consisting of 100 more than pink-spotted white flowers.
The plant is found in semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests woodlands at elevations of sealevel to 700 m, native to Malaya, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India.
They have stout, repent, short stem carrying to 12, curved, fleshy, deeply channeled, keeld, retuse apically leaves and blooms on an axillary, pendant, to 60 cm long, racemose, densely many flowered, cylindrical inflorescence that occurs in the winter and early spring.
The plants die if the leaves are wet frequently. They prefer moderate waterings, heavy fertilizing, and very bright shade to direct morning light. Flowering is usually summer into fall. The plant is most common in North-East, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the plant is called by Telugu name Chintaranamu.
Medicinally the plant is used to treat wounds, cuts and bruishes. Due to bio-piracy, the plant is in the verge of extinction in India. Rhychostylis Retusa is recognized as the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
In Assam, it is popularly known as Kopou Phool, and is an integral part of a Bihu dancer's attire. Among the youths, this orchid is regarded as symbol of love. This orchid also acts as a symbol of fertility and merriment. The inflorescence is also used in the marriage ceremony of the local people. Considering the importance of this orchid, it is usually seen under cultivation in almost all Assameese families.