Ludisia
| Ludisia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Tribe: | Cranichideae |
| Subtribe: | Goodyerinae |
| Genus: | Ludisia A.Rich. |
| Species: | L. discolor |
| Binomial name | |
| Ludisia discolor (Ker Gawl.) A. Rich. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ludisia is a genus of orchids that contains just one species, Ludisia discolor, commonly referred to as jewel orchid. They are native to southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma,[2] and often cultivated. They are terrestrial orchids that in their natural setting would be found growing on the forest floor. They are known for their foliage, which is often velvety deep maroon with red veins that run parallel to the centre of the leaf.
Flowers are white with twisting yellow columns. Individual flowers are small but grow in clusters on upright stalks. Flowers in cultivation last a month or more.[3]
They need high humidity and warm temperatures with low to medium light, and they tolerate extremely low light levels.
Variants
Ludisia discolor includes two notable cultivars:
- Ludisia discolor 'Alba', an albino variant, and
- Ludisia discolor 'Nigrescens', a mutation often referred to as "black velvet".
