Plant of the month April,2007
Eng (thai)

 

 

Vanilla pilifera Holttum, Gard. Bull. Singapore. 13: 251. 1951.
Orchidaceae

Description: Monopodial terrestrial climbing orchid, stem and leaves succulent, rooting from node, internode 7–10 cm. Leaves thick, oblong, 10–14 cm; apex acute; base obtuse; petioles 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescences arise from node, ca 5 cm. long, with 6–12 flowers; bracts 0.5–1 cm. long; pedicels 5–6 cm long. Sepal 3, free, oblong-lanceolate, greenish, shiny, 3–3.4 cm long. Lateral petals similar to sepals; labellum whitish pink with dark purple veins inside, ca 3 cm long with appendage hairs at apex down to the mouth close to 8–10 scales of brush, hairs ca 0.5 cm long; lower inside in front column dark red; column 1–1.8 cm long, most part connate to labellum; operculum green.

 

Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia, SE, SW and Peninsular Thailand, scattered in dry evergreen and evergreen forests, up to 400 m.

Notes: Last updated on 23 December 2016.

Thai name: Sam roi to yai (สามร้อยต่อใหญ่)

Photos: Montri Thanaros (Kaengkachan, Phetchaburi)

References: 
Seidenfaden, G. 1978. Orchid genera in Thailand VI: Neottioideae Lindl. Dansk Botanisk Arkiv Vol. 32 part 2: 138–146.
Holttum, R.E. 1951. A new Malayan Vanilla. The Garden Bulletin Singapore. Vol. 13 part 2: 251–253.