| English Name | Cristate Nephelaphyllum, Cloud-leaf Orchid |
|---|---|
| Status in China | Endangered (EN) |
Description:
Terrestrial orchids. rhizomes fleshy, girt by membranous sheaths; pseudobulbs petiole-like. Leaf solitary, terminal, slightly fleshy, ovate-cordate, 2.2-4(-7) cm long, 1.3-2.5cm wide at base. Racemes 1-3-flowered. Flowers green with purple stripes. Sepals subsimilar, narrowly obovate-lanceolate, ca. 1 cm long, 1-nereved. Petals spoon-shaped, equal in length of sepal but wider, 3-nerved; lip subelliptic, ca. 1 cm long, slightly 3-lobed, margin of medium lobe crisped, with saccate spur at base, disc densely pilose, with clustered fimbriate appendix near the tip.
Distribution:
Victoria Peak, Ma On Shan, Lantau Island. Hainan, Guangdong, Vietnam, India.
Habitat and Ecology:
In forests beside rocks. Fl.: Jun-Jul.
It is a rare species and has high ornamental value. Destruction of habitat and over collection are the main threats. In Hong Kong, most localities of its occurrence are in Country Parks, so habitats of the plants are protected. This species is also protected by the Forestry Regulations (Cap. 96 sub. leg.) and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586).
References:
Rolfe, R. A., 1903: Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany 36: 19.
吉占和，1999：中國植物誌18：232-233。科學出版社，北京。
