Coelogyne pandurata ( Black Orchid)

In the island of Sumatra ( Indonesia) the flowers of the black orchid ( Coelogyne pandurata) were used to bless crops. (Teoh Eng Soon (1982) A Joy Forever, Times International, Singapore).

Images taken at Pitcher Plants and Orchids Center, Padawan using N93i cameraphone.

Vanda luzonica

Vanda merrillii

Paphiopedilum stonei ( Slipper orchid)

Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi

Phalaenopsis amabilis (Anggerek Bulan or "Flowers of the Moon")

Taken at Padawan 's Pitcher Plant and Orchid Center using N93i.

Taken at a nursery in Kuching using N93i.

A hundred years ago in Indonesia, only princesses were allowed to sport the moon orchids or "Anggerek Bulan" on their hair ( as mark of their royalty). Today the plant is very much used in hybridisation. (Teoh Eng Soon (1982) A Joy Forever, Times International, Singapore.

Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi

The Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi is an epiphytic orchid that is native to the regions of India to Myanmar right on to Malaysia and the island of Borneo. Found in the lowland forests, it produce fragrant flowers alternatively i.e. one at a time over an extended period . Its sepals and petals are pale yellow and barred with red brown spots. Each flower is about 2 inches long and borne on a branched and flattened inflorescence.

The pictures above were taken at the Pitcher Plants and Orchids Center, Padawan using N93i cameraphone.

Phaius tankervillae

The Phaius tankervillae is a terrestrial orchid which is found in the Kelabit Highlands, Bario in the Miri Division. There are many Phaius species in Malaysia but the popular one is still the P. tankervillae which has large scented flowers. It has a thick erect flower spike containing about 10 -20 flowers. The flower is powdery white on the outside but looking reddish brown to maroon on its open face. The lip is large. Only a few flowers open at a time. The plant needs a cool environment and best grown under shade and requires a well-aerated soil with plenty of organic matter.

The above pictures were taken at the PitcherPlants and Orchids Center at Padawan using N93i cameraphone.

Dendrobium secundum ( Bottle-brush orchid)

The Dendrobium secundum or bottle-brush orchid has much appeal among orchid lovers and even orchid scientists for its peculiar inflorescence's. They look like long pink bottle-brushes, though they may come in other colours like purple or white or combinations of purple and white. Each flower is small and does not open fully. The compact and unique arrangement of the flowers make the secundum a very distinctive species.

The above pictures were taken at the Pitcher Plants and Orchids Centre at Padawan, using N93i cameraphone.

Calanthe vestita

Calanthe vestita

On location: Padawan