365 days of orchids – day 197 – Bulbophyllum affine
This is another species found in the Sikkim Himalaya. It’s range extends right through South East Asia and Southern China to Taiwan. It grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte from 100 to 1800m where it clambers across trunks or rocks in shaded forest.
The single flowers have prominent red stripes that give the species its common name in China – the striped star orchid.
This plant seems to grow equally well in Warm Asia or Cool Americas where we grow it mounted to accommodate its long rhizome.
Discussion