Himalayan Bird-Lip Orchid is a very interesting orchid which, outside of
the flowering period, is almost indistinguishable from Phalaenopsis
orchids. However, its tiny 1.5 cm across flowers are of an absolutely
different and interesting appearance. The base of the lip is a foothold
for a short and massive wine-red spur. The lip is marked by a notable
radial forking. A large number of flowers grow on overhanging spikes.
Leaves are nearly basal, usually 2 or 3. Leaf blade is oblong-elliptic or
obovate-elliptic, obovate, or oblong, 7-19 × 5.5 cm, tip blunt, pointed or
long-pointed. Himalayan Bird-Lip Orchid is found on tree trunks in open
forests or at forest margins in the Himalayas, from Uttaranchal to Burma,
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, at altitudes of 500-2100 m.
Flowering: May-June.
Identification credit: Pankaj Kumar
Photographed in Gori Valley, Uttarakhand.
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The flower labeled Himalayan Bird-Lip Orchid is ...