Kingdom of odd orchids, Lycoris radiata
Do you want to know the introduction of Lycoris radiata, an orchid? Here is a detailed introduction to the strange orchid, Lycoris radiata.
Lycoris radiata is a perennial herb of the orchid family. Terrestrial or epiphytic; pseudobulbs are ovoid or conical, 2 cm to 3 cm long; a leaf grows after flowering or at the same time as flowering. The flowering period is from April to June; the erect inflorescence is 15 cm to 25 cm high, usually with a single flower, light purple or pink, with numerous dark purple spots on the labellum. It is distributed in the vast area south of the Yangtze River Valley in China, under the broad-leaved forests at an altitude of more than 900 meters. Propagation is by division or aseptic sowing. It prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. Planting in shallow pots with peat, moss, or humus soil, ensuring good ventilation and drainage at the root. In autumn, it gradually enters dormancy, and the pot soil should be kept dry until the leaves wither and before germination starts in the following spring. As Lycoris radiata is very beautiful, it is a very precious small potted flower. There are about 16 species in the genus, with 15 species in China. White-flowered Lycoris radiata is also commonly cultivated.
Although the native place of Lycoris radiata is in our country and some neighboring countries, it is also very popular in European and American countries. This may be because the Westerners first discovered Lycoris radiata in Nepal, and its flowers somewhat resemble saffron, hence in English, it is called "Napalese crocuses"; it is also known as "window-sill orchids" because Lycoris radiata is easy to cultivate and is often placed on the window sills of ordinary people's homes. Additionally, there are names like "Peacock Orchid". In the West, there are many enthusiasts who collect a large number of Lycoris radiata species. The famous Chelsea Flower Show in the UK has awarded prizes for excellent Lycoris radiata varieties, and recently, scholars from the Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK have even published a monograph on Lycoris radiata. It can be seen that this orchid from the East has considerable influence in the West.
When Lycoris radiata blooms, a leaf grows next to the flower, so it is also known as "one-leaf orchid", and the name Lycoris radiata comes from its bulbous pseudobulb. Most plants of the Lycoris radiata genus are terrestrial orchids, generally growing under forests at an altitude of more than 900 meters, with a plant height of 10-25 cm. Its flowers resemble those of Cattleya, with rich colors and many varieties, making it a good small potted flower. It is worth mentioning that the pseudobulb of Lycoris radiata, also known as its "bulb", is a medicine that has the effect of detoxification.
The above [] introduces the specific introduction of the strange orchid Lycoris radiata (picture), hoping to bring some flower knowledge to flower enthusiasts.