Rhynchostylis gigantea

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Rhynchostylis gigantea
Rhynchostylis gigantea red form Rhynchostylis gigantea spotted form
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Vandeae Subtribe: Aeridinae Genus: Rhynchostylis Species: R. gigantea
Binomial name
Rhynchostylis gigantea

Rhynchostylis gigantea is a species of orchid. This species was first described in 1896 by Lindley and occurs in Myanamar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hainan China, Borneo, and the Philippines.

Rhynchostylis differs from Vandas by the one-lobed lip. Rhynchostylis are also commonly called Foxtail Orchids because of their long thin densly packed inflorescences that get up to 37 cm with sweetly fragrant blooms. The inflorescences appear in autumn and winter. Due to the wide distribution of Rhynchostylis gigantea there is a range of different clones: flowers vary slightly in shape and colour (from white to dark red, with spotted forms).

Unlike vandas they need indirect light. Rhynchostylis gigantea are best grown in wood slat basket with little or no potting material and will grow massive fleshy roots entangled throughout the basket if given uniform water and fertilizer. The plants are warm to hot growing.

It is the state flower of Assam and known as Kopou phul in Assamese.