Orked Harimau – Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume

Sebenarnya tak lah minat sangat kat orkid, tanam pun jaga janji hidup. Tapi Alhamdulillah setelah 10 tahun keluar bunganya. Orang kata memang susah nak keluar bunga orkid jenis ni. Bawah ni detail dia.

Orked Harimau – Grammatophyllum speciosum Blume

Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Tiger Orchid, Bunga Bidadari, Ekor Gajah

Grammatophyllum speciosum is the largest orchid species in the world, with its clump weighing as heavy as two tonnes, and bearing flower stalks as long as 2 m long! The common name, Tiger Orchid is given after the striking brown and yellow flower patterns resembling tiger stripes.

CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Plant Division:Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form:Epiphyte
Lifespan (in Singapore):Perennial
Mode of Nutrition:Autotrophic
Maximum Height:3 m

BIOGEOGRAPHY
Native Distribution:Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea
Native Habitat:Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone:Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status:Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NE))
CITES Protection:True (Appendix II)

DESCRIPTION AND ETHNOBOTANY
Growth Form:It is a large, clumping, epiphytic orchid. Its stem is 3 m or longer, and up to 5 cm thick. It is also the largest orchid species in the world.
Foliage:Its stalkless, two-rowed leaves have thin leaf blades that are strap-like, narrowing and curving downwards towards the sharp tips, and 31–60 by 2.5–3 cm.
Stems:Stems are long and fleshy.
Flowers:Its 10 cm-wide flowers are borne on an elongated shoot from the base of the stem. Both its sepals and petals are pale greenish-yellow with orange-brown spots, turning darker when older.. The floral stalk is about 2 m tall and carries about 40 long-lasting flowers.
Fruits:Its pear-shaped fruits are about 15 cm long.
Habitat:It grows on trees near rivers and streams.
Associated Fauna:It is probably pollinated by large bees.
Cultivation:This species is best grown as an epiphyte, but it can also be planted in the ground or in large containers. To grow it as an epiphyte, it can be tied to the trunk of a large tree near the crotch.

LANDSCAPING FEATURES
Landscaping:It is the largest orchid species in the world with specimens growing up to 2 tonnes and bearing up to 7,000 at a time! It is often grown as an ornamental orchid in gardens and parks for its attractive foliage and large flowers. It is cultivated as an epiphyte on street trees in Singapore. In Singapore, it flowers in January or July, but plants do not flower every year. It can also be cultivated in well-drained loose substrate as a terrestrial plant.
Desirable Plant Features:Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form
Plant & Rootzone Preference – Tolerance:Well-Drained Soils
Landscape Uses:Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Green Roof, Flowerbed / Border

FAUNA, POLLINATION AND DISPERSAL
Pollination Method(s):Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal:Abiotic

PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference:Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference:Occasional Misting, Little Water
Plant Growth Rate:Moderate
Propagation Method:Seed, Division

FOLIAR
Foliage Retention:Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s):Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s):Smooth
Foliar Type:Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem:Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem:Sessile
Foliar Shape(s):Non-Palm Foliage (Linear)
Foliar Venation:Parallel
Foliar Margin:Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio:3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover – Monocot)

FLORAL (ANGIOSPERM)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1:Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s):Brown, Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping:Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location:Axillary
Flower Symmetry:Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape:Labiate / Lipped

FRUIT, SEED AND SPORE
Mature Fruit Colour(s) – Angiosperms and Gymnosperms:Brown
Fruit Classification:Simple Fruit
Fruit Type 1:Dehiscent Dry Fruit
Fruit Type 2:Capsule

OTHERS
Master ID:746
Species ID:2041
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Credit : NParks | Grammatophyllum speciosum