The Aerides crispum has started its yearly show in my garden. It is attached to the gnarled trunk of the Amla tree, where its thick roots hang in the air, obtaining sustenance. Hence its name- Aerides meaning 'of the air'. This orchid grows wild in the rain forests of the Western Ghats. I got the plants from my friend Hegde's farm, deep in the jungles of the Western Ghats.
The flowers are mildly perfumed, reminding one of the Frangipani. They stay for a month on the plant.Aerides crispum is called Draupadi Dande in Kannada, meaning 'garland of Draupadi'. Draupadi was the heroine of the Indian epic, Mahabharata. She obviously did not have enough time to make a long garland Another variety which has become rare in the Western Ghats, is 'Seethe Dande', meaning Seetha's garland'. The inflorescence of that one is 3 feet long, or even longer, showing that Seetha has all the time in the world to weave garlands..
It's so lovely ... sounds like the perfume is lovely too!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful orchid with fragrance and a folklore to boot!
ReplyDeletethis makes me miss my hometown... whee wild orchids grow in abundance. lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful orchid.
ReplyDeleteCostas
You are one lucky girl! I wish I own one of these exotics. Pretty pretty ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Orchid is stunning! My experiments with orchids invariably end up as failure either b'coz of spells of dry bone breaking winters or due to long dry scorching summers like we are facing these days.
ReplyDeleteI like you new 'Our Planet' widget too!
Bernie, the individual flowers are not very large like the hibrid orchids.
ReplyDeleteShailaja, Yes, and it is an orchid which requires minimal care!
Ruth, your hometown must be lovely:-)
Costas, have a happy time in Crete!
Stephanie, yes, the ordhid is pretty and requires hardly any care.
I am catching up on your very enlightening and enjoyable posts. That orchid is beautiful is it easily propagated?
ReplyDeleteGreen Thumb: Thank you, Doc. Most of the orchids need lots of humidity. I am not lucky with orchids either.
ReplyDeleteHelen, thanks for your comment. This orchid is not easily propagated, as it is not available in nurseries.
Love your photos! And getting to know all the details about something that I also have (but didn't know much about) makes it all the more interesting.
ReplyDeletelovely orchids. and such beautiful hues - the shaded effect is so pleasant to the eye.
ReplyDeleteThe wild orchid is a mesmerizing gift of nature. Its intricate blooms and diverse species captivate the eye and the imagination. Why Video Bigger Amidst the wild, these delicate flowers stand as a reminder of nature.
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