TIGER ORCHID (Grammatophyllum Speciosum.)
The tiger orchid is also known by a few other names including bunga bidadari and ekor gajah. It is a large clumping epiphytic orchid. its stem is 3 meter or longer and its stalkless two rowed leaves have thin leaf blades that are strap like, narrowing and curving downwards towards teh sharp tips. Its flowers are borne on an elongated shoot from the base of teh stem. Both its sepals and petals are pale greenish-yellow with orange-brown spots, turning darker when older. it tend to grow on trees near rivers and streams. It can be found all over Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Sumatra, Philippines and Borneo. In Singapore, it cannot be found growing in the wilds anymore.
It is the largest orchid species in the world with certain specimens growing up to 2 tonnes and bearing up to 7000 at a time. It is now commonly grown as an ornamental orchid in gardens and parks for its attractive foliage ad large flowers. In Singapore, you can sometimes see it being cultivated as an epiphyte on street trees. In Singpaore, it flowers in January or july but do note that it does not necessarily flower every year.
It is the largest orchid species in the world with certain specimens growing up to 2 tonnes and bearing up to 7000 at a time. It is now commonly grown as an ornamental orchid in gardens and parks for its attractive foliage ad large flowers. In Singapore, you can sometimes see it being cultivated as an epiphyte on street trees. In Singpaore, it flowers in January or july but do note that it does not necessarily flower every year.