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14 Phalaenopsis | First Quarter | Volume 23 | 2013
Phalaenopsis javanica J . J . Sm . ( syn . Polychilos javanica ( J . J . Sm .) Shim , Phalaenopsis latisepala Rolfe ) is an epiphyte endemic form Java and produces brilliant leaves from a short stem . Inflorescences are semi-erect racemes up to 25 cm long . Fleshy flowers are cup-shaped and are creamy , translucid , spotted and veined with purple brown . The midlobe is vibrant purple ( Fig . 5 ). While coloration and texture could make this species a highly-prized parent , the inherited poor shape makes breeders dismiss it . Recent selections tend to present more opened flowers that are more saturated in their coloration . The very rare albino form , only white and yellow , is called P . javanica f . alba . Gruss & Röllke ex Christenson ( Fig . 6 ).
Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana Rchb . f . ( syn . Polychilos lueddemanniana ( Rchb . f .)
Shim ), is an epiphyte endemic to the Philippines , with leaves measuring up to 30 x 9 cm . Inflorescences are semi-erect and frequently produce keikis . The flowers are remarkable , with their waxy and shiny texture and with a white background , diversely spotted with purple to magenta or red spots and bars ( Fig . 7 ). Two varieties are described : P . lueddemanniana var . delicata Rchb . f . in which marks are brown at the flower periphery and violet in the center and P . lueddemanniana var . ochracea Rchb . f . ( Fig . 8 ) which is the albino form , very rare in collections , presenting a white background marked with yellow to orange bars and spots . Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica
( Rchb . f .) Sweet , exhibiting thinner markings ( Fig . 9 ) and Phalaenopsis pulchra ( Rchb . f .) Sweet , which is solid , brilliant pink to magenta ( Fig . 10 ) are both sister species . The Orchid Registrar recognized these two species in 2005 only for new hybrids records purpose . Prior to 2005 , the situation was very confusing , as all hybrids from these three parent species were recorded as progeny of P . lueddemanniana . Phalaenopsis maculata Rchb . f . originates from Malaysia and Indonesia . Flowers are medium sized , with leaves measuring about 20 x 4 cm . Inflorescences are arching to pendent and are few flowered . They bear flowers reaching 2-3 cm in diameter . The flowers have a creamy background , spotted with red-brown blotches ( Fig 11 ). A very rare albino form , with orange to yellow blotches exists ; it is called P . maculata f . flava
Christenson ( Fig . 12 ). The cultivation difficulty often reported is probably linked to the first collections and imports of the species to Europe . These plants were weak and most of them soon died off . Nowadays , artificially produced plants seem to grow and flower well . Phalaenopsis mariae Burb . ex War . & B . S . Wms . ( syn . Polychilos mariae ( Burb . ex War . &
B . S . Wms .) Shim ) comes from the Philippines and Borneo ( Kalimantan ). It ’ s an epiphyte with leaves reaching up to 43 x 10 cm . Inflorescences form many flowered pendent racemes or panicles , at least as long as leaves . Lightly scented flowers are creamy white with amethyst to red-brown bars or blotches . The lip is deep violet to dark pink , hairy at its apex , contrasting with the white column ( Fig . 13 ). Phalaenopsis bastianii Gruss & Röllke is a sister species , but inflorescences are erect and the lip is almost glabrous ( Fig . 14 ). The primary hybrid Phalaenopsis Lovely Marie is often sold for one or the other of these two charming species . Phalaenopsis modesta J . J . Sm . is endemic from Kalimantan ( Borneo ). Round , shiny leaves measure up to 23 x 6 cm . Plants produce variable flowers in both size and color during spring and autumn ( Fig . 15 ). The lip is usually glabrous but can also bear a few trichomes (“ hairs ”). This species is often dismissed by breeders and amateurs because of its rather small flowers , often hidden in the foliage . A remarkable variant formally described as P . modesta var . bella Gruss & Röllke , with larger leaves and atypical flowers could be the natural hybrid between P . modesta and P . javanica . An albino form with pure white flowers also exists but is not formally described . Phalaenopsis violacea Witte ( syn . Polychilos violacea ( Witte ) Shim , Stauritis violacea
Rchb . f ., Stauropsis violacea Rchb . f .) ( Fig . 16 ) is an Indonesian ( Sumatra ) and Malaysian species very close to its sister species Phalaenopsis bellina ( Rchb . f .) Christenson