Vanda javierae
| Vanda javierae | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Genus: | Vanda |
| Species: | V. javierae |
| Binomial name | |
| Vanda javierae | |
Vanda javierae, a type of Vanda, belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae), is the only white vanda orchid in the world. It is one of the world's most rarest vanda orchids and is an endangered species.
V. javierae is found only in the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
It is also known as Mrs. Javier's Vanda.
Characteristics
V. javierae has leaves which are 20 cm long and are leathery. It grows up to 35 cm and yields at least 5-6 distinct white flowers with red-brown lip. The variety with red-brown lip has broader petals and a pointed dorsal sepal, whereas the original photograph published in the March 1983 American Orchid Society Bulletin (advertisement by Mrs. Javier's nursery, as "V. javierii") shows a pure white flower with a slight trace of pink on the lip sidelobes. Both forms have flat flowers, with untwisted petals, unusual in the genus. Leaves of the white form are thinner and less leathery; the red-brown lip/pointed dorsal sepal/broader petals form may constitute an undescribed species.
Habitat
V. javierae is only endemic orchid to the Island of Luzon where it is considered endangered. This exotic orchid is nearly found everywhere which are at mid altitudes and are near streams.