5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes

We sincerely hope that each of you, our readers, will thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this article we present to you about these 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes. It was certainly our pleasure to gather the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

Certainly, these few wonders listed herein represent only a miniscule portion of the similar marvels found around the world. It’s our belief, though, that they nonetheless serve as excellent representations of these marvels of Nature. Check out some of our other articles for similar species.

Moon Orchid

Moon Orchid Facts

• Starting off this article about these 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes we present the otherworldly wonder often called the Moon Orchid.
• This gorgeous Angiosperm, with a nature that might surprise you, most frequently goes by the common name applied herein. The botanical marvel does have a few other, alternate general names, though, These include the terms moth orchid, and also anggrek bulan.
• Among scientific professionals, such as researchers, it goes by a far different name, however. That term, though, represents a bit of a mouthful for non-professionals. That’s because the natural wonder also bears the tongue-twisting moniker of the Phalaenopsis amabilis.
• The stunning flora received the official name that it currently holds due to the efforts of the German-Dutch botanist, Charles Ludwig de Blume. Yet, it previously held other names, assigned by other researchers. His work, however, changed these to the current one in 1825.
• For now, the magnificent creation of Nature and evolution appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. This fortunate fact further seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its known range. The IUCN, therefore, has no current listing for it.
• The dazzling Moon Orchid nonetheless does face at least a few potential threats to its continued existence as a species. Illegal collection of the beauty from within its natural habitat continues, despite efforts to curb the practice. Invasive species also pose a potential threat.
• Numerous factors such as habitat degradation or outright destruction pose further dangers. Both of these dangers occur chiefly due to the actions of man, either directly or indirectly. Likewise, the accelerating effects of climate change also threaten it, like most other species.

Moon Orchid Physical Description

The aptly-named Moon Orchid easily impresses those individuals fortunate enough to encounter it with its celestial beauty, to be certain. Yet, sheer visual appeal alone isn’t the only remarkable characteristic of this marvelous Angiosperm. The gorgeous flora also has a fascinating nature.

That’s because this particular variety of orchid evolved as what botanists classify as epiphytic and lithophytic. That means that this stunner grows not inside the soil, but either on the surface of a host plant, or on rocks. Nature never fails to amaze with its wondrous resourcefulness!

Those incredible roots occasionally attain lengths measuring up to 3.3 ft (1 m). These aspects of the plant also develop extremely flattened in shape. Each of these vital structures additionally develops as quite narrow. Each typically only measures about 0.12 – 0.16 in (3 – 4 mm) in overall width.

Its foliage, meanwhile, also merits its own degree of notice. Individual plants produce 2 – 8 distinctive leaves apiece. The leaves generally present either an egg-shaped or oblong structure. Lengths further average from 5.9 – 12 in (15 – 30 cm). Widths, though, average 1.6 – 2.8 in (4 – 7 cm).

The stems each separate Moon Orchid produces from which to display its captivating blooms averages 3.9 – 12 in (10 – 30 cm) in length. This structure, however, typically remains concealed by the bases of the leaves. Each branch also produces 2 – 20 long-lasting flowers on short stalks.

But, it’s the flowers themselves that typically garner the greatest amount of interest. These average 2.4 – 2.8 in (6 – 7 cm) in length, and 2 – 3.1 in (5 – 8 cm) in width. The labellum, which attracts its pollinators, shows white, with yellowish and red markings. The blooms, though, show bright white.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophytes
• Class: Angiosperm
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Genus: Phalaenopsis
• Species: P. amabilis

Moon Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately for the mesmerizing Moon Orchid, it evolved as native to a comparatively wide section of the globe. That’s due to the fact that populations of the beautiful plant appear in both parts of Asia, and the continent of Australia. That dispersal gives it an extreme evolutionary advantage.

Within its concentration in the region of Asia, it appears from Palawan Island, in the Philippines, to Borneo. The flora also lives in parts of Java and Sumatra. At least three recognized subspecies also inhabit much of the same range. In Australia, it mainly lives in Paluma Range National Park.

Though exceptions occasionally occur, this remarkable species displays clear preferences for its choice of habitat. That’s due to the fact that the majority of specimens develop in regions of very precise ecological factors. These consist of rainforest areas, with high humidity and good air flow.

It’s also extraordinarily precise concerning certain other factors. Given its somewhat unusual nature, it requires a physical host to cling to. In its native state, this most often consists of trees. It does, however, sometimes appear on stones. Yet it rarely clings to man-made structures in its area.

Like most plants, the Moon Orchid accomplishes its reproduction via the process of pollination. Also like others of its kind, it achieves this through the actions of insects. In its case, this mainly occurs due to the visits of local bees. Interestingly, though, it’s mainly carpenter bees that visit.

It also plays an important cultural role in specific parts of its greater range. In Indonesia, it also represents one of three official National Flowers. The plant holds similar importance in other global regions as well, however. It’s also the official flower of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysia.

Flying Duck Orchid

Flying Duck Orchid Facts

• Next up in this compilation of 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes comes the distinctively evolved botanical marvel known as the Flying Duck Orchid.
• This amazing flower most frequently goes by this name for the obvious reasons. It also goes by the alternate common name of the large duck orchid. Both names clearly derive from its physical shape, considered by some people to closely resemble a duck taking flight.
• Its official scientific name, though, remains that of the relatively easy to pronounce term of Caleana major. The well-respected Scottish botanist, Robert Brown made the first recorded recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. This noteworthy deed occurred in 1810.
• That researcher initially collected the sample that led to the original identification of the flora in 1803. That accomplishment appeared in his work, entitled Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. He named it in honor of a fellow botanist, George Caley.
• Fortunately, its numbers appear to be both sufficient and stable, at least for the moment. That pleasant state holds true throughout the entirety of its natural range. It’s now become a popular addition to gardens around the world, as well, due to its distinctive appearance.
• For these reasons, the IUCN does not currently have any listing for it on the organizations’ Red List of Threatened Species. In its natural range, though, it does face potential threats to its existence. These include habitat loss due to human expansion, and of course, climate change.

Flying Duck Orchid Physical Description

The remarkable Flying Duck Orchid certainly merits its due measure of appreciation. It does not do so, however, due to sheer phsycial size. That’s because this variety of orchid, while fascinating, isn’t a large member of the genus. In point of fact, it’s fairly small, compared to some of its kin.

The plants’ size also varies significantly between individuals. Surprisingly, it additionally seems to do so fully independent of local environmental conditions. Vertical height ranges from around 8 – 20 in (20.3 – 50.8 cm). Specimens from both ends of this range sometimes appear beside each other.

The single stalk this marvel produces develops as relatively thin, and typically shows a pale green in color. From the base of this feature, a single leaf grows. This foliage develops as quite narrow and lance-shaped, and displays a dark reddish color. It also averages 2 – 5 in (5 – 12.7 cm) in length.

Despite its seeming fragility, the thin stalk usually supports up to an impressive total of 5 of the intriguing flowers. These average 0.8 – 1 in (2 – 2.5 cm) in length, and show a reddish-brown hue. Sometimes, however, these blooms appear as a greenish shade, along with numerous dark spots.

It’s the overall combined shape of its parts that garner the Flying Duck Orchid its distinctive common name, though. The remarkable structure of the pant that serves to attract insects, called the labellum, strongly resembles the head of a duck. Atop the stem, it seems to be poised for flight.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophyta
• Class: Angiosperm
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Genus: Caleana
• Species: C. major

Flying Duck Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unfortunately, the stunning Flying Duck Orchid evolved as native to an extremely limited section of the surface of the globe. Like many other fascinating plants, that’s the region now known as Australia. Even there, this wonder of nature only appears in a few regions of similar nature.

More specifically, this botanical beauty only grows in parts of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and the island state of Tasmania. Even within these regions, however, it possesses highly specific habitat requirements. This characteristic also severely limits its expansion.

The vast majority of observed specimens develop in areas consisting of either swampy or coastal shrubland, eucalyptus woodlands, or heathland. It also typically appears in proximity to the coastline. A small percentage of individual specimens do sometimes appear at higher altitudes.

Like most flowering plants, it accomplishes its pollination via the actions of insects. Unlike most similar plants, though, bees do not constitute the principal agents of this process. This orchid actually evolved to primarily utilize sawflies for this action, and mainly males, at that.

The astounding Flying Duck Orchid tricks the males into thinking that the plant is a female of their species. When they land, they find themselves forced by the design of the structure to move between the labellum and surrounding columns. As they do, they release pollen in their struggles.

It does not simply remain passive throughout this process, however. In a truly amazing evolutionary develoment, the plant actually moves to facilitate the process. As the visiting sawfly moves, the neck-like structure actually snaps shut, and with relatively surprising speed, trapping it!

Pale Umbrella Orchid

Pale Umbrella Orchid Facts

• Our next choice for inclusion in this gathering of these 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes is the remarkable flora bearing the title of Pale Umbrella Orchid.
• This magnificent product of floral evolution most frequently goes by the descriptive common name across its natural range. For the moment, the natural marvel has no other accepted general title. Though certainly not unknown, that’s still somewhat uncommon.
• Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps much better known by its purely technical designation. Unfortunately, that particular term’s virtually unpronounceable for the average layperson. That’s because it bears the formal epithet of Bulbophyllum longiflorum.
• The remarkable Angiosperm received that tag due to the efforts of Louis-Marie Aubert du Petit-Thouars. The highly respected French botanist accomplished the first acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that scientifically noteworthy feat in 1822.
• Sadly, though, the beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid currently finds itself in somewhat dire straits. That lamentable situation further holds true throughout the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore presently lists is as Vulnerable on its Red List of Threatened Species.
• The remarkable plant constsntly faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Like most forms of life on earth today, most of these dangers stem from the actions of man. In its case, these include illegal collecting of the plant and the dangers of climate change.

Pale Umbrella Orchid Physical Description

Like its many relatives around the globe, the amazing Pale Umbrella Orchid instantly captivates those individuals fortunate enough to view it in the wild. Also following its kindred’s pattern, the breathtaking flora does so due to a combination of its great beauty and intriguing base nature.

This marvelous species typically develops multiple long, relatively thin, stems, called rhizomes. These features usually extend outward along a surface, typically with a single leaf each. This foliage has an elongated oval form, and generally displays a light to moderately-dark shade of green.

Yet, it’s understandable that the highly distinctive flowers of the amazing plant represent what receives the most complimentary thoughts. These delicate marvels of botanical evolution develop at the ends of each of the stems. This part of the Angiosperm truly impresses the casual viewer.

The gorgeous blooms of the wonder appear in obvious groups ranging from 5 – 8 in number. These assemblages also spread outward in a semi-circular pattern. Flowers vary in length, even on the same parent. However, each typically averages somewhere between 3.9 – 7.9 in (10 – 20 cm).

The always fabulous Pale Umbrella Orchid manifests each of these eye-catching blossoms situated at the end of a short, even thinner stem. That part of the orchid measures a mean length equaling 0.6 – 0.8 in (1.5 – 2.0 cm). This also projects nearly horizontally from the end of the rhizome.

Yet, it’s the stunning appearance of those above-mentioned flowers that must be seen to be believed. These grow highly elongated in nature, measuring an average 1.2 – 1.6 in (3 – 4 cm) in length. In width, though, these blooms generally manage a width of about 0.12 – 0.2 in (0.3 0.5 cm).

The pattern of coloring of these marvelous aspects of the flora also makes them fully deserving of admiration. That’s because the backgrounds vary, ranging from yellowish to greenish-cream. That’s usually augmented even further by the presence of quite small, random purple dots or spots.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophyta
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Genus: Bulbophyllum
• Species: B. longiflorum

Pale Umbrella Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The spectacular Pale Umbrella Orchid also evolved as native to an extremely unusual habitat range. That’s true due to the fact that it lives across a comparatively wide expanse of the earth’s surface. Amazingly, though, within that greater zone of habitation, populations seem to be sparsely spread.

Some of these lucky locations include certain small sections of both Africa and Australia, and Malaysia, in Asia. From there, though, its only seen natively on a number of island and archipelagos. These include such sites as Fiji, New Guinea, Seychelles, and New Caledonia.

This botanical wonder also developed specific requirements regarding its choice of habitat that run to both ends of the spectrum. In one respect, it’s very exact pertaining to where it chooses to live. Yet, in another manner, it displays decidedly strong flexibility about its habitat location.

For starters, the species appears naturally almost exclusively in either hill forests or tropical rainforests. That’s very specific. But, inside of those two regions, it dwells at a wide range of altitudes. The plant lives at heights that range from near sea level to 5,600 ft (1,707 m).

The beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid adapted surprisngly well to the different parts of the world in which it appears. It therefore flowers during various periods of the year in its separate areas of habitation. In all regions, however, it achieves pollination via the actions of numerous insects.

Inside Africa, the remarkable product of Nature typically blooms between the months of October and January. In Australia, though, this activity usually occurs from January to March. Incredibly, though, in New Guinea the flora blossoms continually throughout the entirety of the year.

Like many of its extant relatives found around the world, this marvel took a different path when it comes to achieving its nourishment. It developed as an epiphyte, meaning it only grows on the surface of other plants, such as trees, and draws its nourishment from it surroundings.

White Egret Orchid

White Egret Orchid Facts

• Now appearing in this compendium of 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes comes the stunning product of evolution named the White Egret Orchid.
• The attention-grabbing term it’s known by understandably serves as the most frequently used common name for this botanical marvel. Yet, this botanical beauty does have a few other general titles it’s known by. These include the terms fringed orchid or sagisō.
• Inside of the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better knnown by its technical designation. Thankfully, though, that’s a comparatively simple one for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because the plant holds the official epithet of Pecteilis radiata.
• This marvelous product of evolution received that appellation due to the efforts of Carl Peter Thunberg. The noted Swedish naturalist accomplished the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy feat in 1784.
• This wonder of the biological world clearly represents a truly unique and extremely beautiful species, even among orchids. It also demonstrates an intriguing coincidence. Due to a random quirk of evolution, its shape suggests to many the shape of wings spread for flight.
• Fortunately, the White Egret Orchid appears to still be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state also seems to hold true across the entirety of its native range. The IUCN thus does not show it on their Red List of Threatened Species.
• The remarkable flora nevertheless still faces the same potential threats to its continued existence as all species one earth today do. Most of those dangers stem from the actions of mankind. They include the closely related perils posed by habitat loss and climate change.

White Egret Orchid Physical Description

The appropriately-named White Egret Orchid constitutes an amazing terrestrial species of orchid. In terms of form, this highly amazing plant itself qualifies as what’s listed as a small shrub. That unique fact alone distinguishes it from the majority of its many relatives located around the world.

The stunning flowers the plant produces, however, appear on individual stems. These features also typically grow strongly vertical, and relatively slender in structure. Though these vary, an average height ranges from approximately 8 – 24 in (20 – 60 cm) under normal growing conditions.

The leaves of this marvel Nature and evolution usually develop as lance-shaped in form. These also generally vary in size, depending on the specific growing conditions. They often form a basal rosette at the bottom of the plant. In color, these range from very light to dark shades of green.

It’s the utterly breathtaking blooms of the White Egret Orchid that typically recieve the most attention, however, and justifiably so. Each plant generally produces either two or three of these magnificent blossoms per stem. Yet, exceptional examples sometimes develop as many as eight.

The distinctive white shading of each individual flower easily stands out in sharp contrast to the bright green of the stems and foliage of the remainder of the plant. Along the edge, or lip of the beautiful orchid, an adornment of yellow markings usually appears, resembling an egret’s bill.

The calyx also generally develops as somewhat egg-shaped in design, while the sepals develop relatively small and green. Most noteworthy, however, are the three lobes. The two largest extend laterally and develop fringed edges, which serves to further accentuate the appearance of wings.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Genus: Pecteilis
• Species: P. radiata

White Egret Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

To the delight of many, the marvelous White Egret Orchid evolved as native to a moderately broad expanse of the surface of the earth. The precise location of that zone of habitation likely won’t surprise many people, either. That’s because this natural wonder developed as native to Asia.

Within that vast overall habitat range, however, the flora’s only known to be present within the confines of the general eastern section. This region primarily consists of the countries of Japan, China, Korea, and certain portions of Russia. It’s possible it also exists beyond this territory.

Aiding in its survival is the fact that it demonstrates an impressive flexibility regarding its choice of habitat types. It’s therefore found in a wide range of ecoystems within its range. These settings include locations occurring at both moderate to unusually high altitudes for orchids.

Inside of these ranges, though, the intriguingly versatile beauty makes its presence known with a great multitude of settings. These include grassy areas and meadows, where it thrives in open, sunny conditions. Such provide the orchid with the necessary light and space to grow and bloom.

The mind-numbing Angiosperm also often occurs in the margins of open forests, where there’s enough sunlight reaching the forest floor to support its growth. In these habitats, it’s quite frequently found growing among various low vegetation or along the edges of woodland clearings.

It prefers well-drained soil, and is frequently found in various soil types, including both sandy and loamy soils, and rocky substrates. While it prefers well-drained soil, it also requires a moderate level of moisture to thrive. Habitats with periodic rainfall or access to moisture seem to work best.

Like its many kindred across the globe, the White Egret Orchid relies on specific pollinators for reproduction. In its natural habitat, it’s mainly pollinated by insects, especially bees and butterflies. Its shape and scent attract these, which transfer pollen between flowers as they forage for nectar.

After their successful pollination, the remarkable product of Nature produces multiple, very small capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. The dispersal of these is subsequently most often facilitated by either local winds or by animals that may inadvertently carry them to new locations.

Plumed midge-orchid

Plumed midge-orchid Facts

• Closing out this article about these 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes is the amazing creation of evolution men call the Plumed midge-orchid.
• The descriptive term perfectly serves as the most frequently used common name for this intriguing marvel of Nature and evolution. That’s certainly not the plant’s only generally used moniker, though. It’s also sometimes known as the Tallong midge-orchid.
• Within scientific circles, however, it sometimes goes by a far different term. Unfortunately, it’s quite a hard one for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because this flora bears the formal name of the Geneplesium plumosum. Regardless of the term chosen, it’s a remarkable plant.
• The first formal description of the very rare flower did not take place until the year 1942. This action occurred as a result of a detailed exploration of the area in which it appears. Clergyman and botanist Herman Rupp became the first to scientifically identify and classify the species.
• Unfortunately, most specimens of the remarkable Angiosperm only inhabit an extremely miniscule area. However, a handful of individual plants do also appear inside the Morton National Park. Fortunately, this location serves to provide them with a measure of protection.
• Researchers estimate the total population of the Plumed midge-orchid to be no only a few hundred. Due to this extremely unfortunate fact, the IUCN understandably presently lists the species as Endangered. In addition to other factors, it now faces the threat of climate change.

Plumed midge-orchid Physical Description

The gorgeous Plumed midge-orchid distinguishes itself from its many kin in a specific combination of ways. That’s partly due to the fact that this species evolved as a somewhat unique variety of terrestrial perennial. But, the truly amazing lifeform also evolved both fine roots and tubers.

Yet, Nature did not simply stop at this point with this botanical wonder. The tubers it develops also have a secure protective covering, and often extend all the way up to the surface. It’s also classified as what’s known as a ground orchid, since the Angiosperm rarely exceeds (12 in 30 cm) in height.

The remarkable floral variety does produce multiple short stems, however. Each of these features additionally contains a quantity of flowers that ranges from 1-6. These blooms present a dazzling array of hues. That pattern generally consists of a light green, with stripes of pink and purple.

The foliage of the Plumed midge-orchid fully merits appreciation by the viewer as well, though. While relatively small in size, the leaves of the distinctive plant actually end directly below the flowers themselves. Also uniquely, the delicate petals themselves have a covering of fine hairs.

Evolution further provided well for its chances of procreation. That’s true due to the distinctive nature of the seeds the Angiosperm generates. The non-fleshy fruit it produces forms as a comparatively small capsule. Despite its diminutive size, though, this contains hundreds of seeds.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Angiosperms
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchiaceae
• Genus: Genoplesium
• Species: G. plumosum

Plumed midge-orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Where this wonder of creation resides won’t surprise many people. That’s because the amazing Plumed midge-orchid evolved as native to a region of the globe already quite renowned for its incredible abundance of life. This species developed as native to the continent of Australia.

Even there, though, this botanical wonders’ range remains extremely restricted. Sadly, excepting a few scattered plants in a National Park, the majority of this range consists of a tiny area. This only covers a range of 8 sq mi (20 sq km). This occupies a remote section of New South Wales.

Inside that incredibly tiny region, its known habitat remains completely restricted to only the area known as the Southern Tablelands. This naturally led it to develop a set of very precise habitat requirements. As a result, it mainly lives amid sections of low shrubs, within the confines of a forest.

Yet the beautiful and surprisingly versatile Angiosperm nonetheless does show at least some flexibiltiy in this respect. Due to that admittedly small versatility, the plant occasionally inhabits a few other areas. These alternate sites sometimes include such as moss gardens and parks, as well.

The Plumed midge-orchid also has an unusual blooming cycle. That’s because the extraordinary species typically blooms roughly 4-6 weeks after a period of rain. This occurs in either the summer or the autumn seasons. This represents yet another way in which it distinguishes itself from others.

Unfortunately, numerous factors appear to be hampering its chances for continued survival. One reason for its decline appears to be the clearing of land for human usage. Another reason seems to be overgrazing by an introduced rabbit species. Conservation efforts are thankfully ongoing.

5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes

We truly hope that each of you greatly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning something from, this article we’ve written about these 5 Extremely Beautiful Epiphytes. It’s also our fervent hope that doing so has left you with either a new or greatly renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.

Unfortunately, however, many of their kindred located around the world now find themselves facing very strong threats to their continued existence as a species. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve every one of them.

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