Pleione formosana, the Taiwan pleione or windowsill orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae, native to southeastern China as well as northern and central Taiwan. It is a deciduous perennial, terrestrial orchid growing to 15 cm (6 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide, with spherical pseudobulbs that produce a single folded leaf. The pink flowers, borne in spring, have fringed white lips that are strongly marked and mottled with brown on the inner surface.[2]

Pleione formosana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Arethuseae
Genus: Pleione
Species:
P. formosana
Binomial name
Pleione formosana
Synonyms

The specific epithet formosana refers to Taiwan's former name, Formosa.[3]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5] In the UK it is rated as H3, which means that it can be grown outside in mild, sheltered areas where the soil does not dry out. It may also be grown under glass in a cool position.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ China Plant Specialist Group (2004). "Pleione formosana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T46709A11076039. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T46709A11076039.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  4. ^ a b "RHS Plant Selector - Pleione formosana". Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  5. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 80. Retrieved 7 May 2018.

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