Common Name: Philippine Ground Orchid
Vernacular Name: ഓർക്കിഡ്
Systematic position:
Class- Liliopsida
Subclass- Liliidae
Order- Asparagales
Family- Orchidaceae
Genus- Spathoglottis
Species- S. plicata
Description: Spathoglottis plicata is an evergreen, terrestrial herb which forms tall clumps. It has crowded pseudobulbs 40–60 mm long and 20–40 mm wide, each with three or four pleated leaves 50–90 mm long and 8–15 mm wide on a stalk 80–150 mm long. Up to forty deep pink to purple resupinate flowers 35–55 mm long and wide are borne on a hairy flowering stem 50–100 cm tall. The dorsal sepal is 20–30 mm long and the lateral sepals are slightly narrower. The petals are about the same length as the sepals but significantly wider. The labellum is 'T"-shaped, a similar size to the dorsal sepal and has three lobes with the side lobes close to vertical. At the tip of the column there is a cap, under which masses of yellow pollen grains can be seen.
Flowering and Fruiting: Spring through summer.
Economic Importance: Orchids are known to be highly advanced plants, developing various contrivances to attract pollinators. Orchids are the indicators of the health of the ecosystem and their presence signifies that the ecosystem is vibrant and lively.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spathoglottis_plicata