Botanical Name:Robiquetia
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily:Epidendroideae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Tribe: Vandeae
Subtribe:Aeridinae
Genus: Robiquetia
Synonyms:
*Malleola J.J.Sm. & Schltr.
*Abdominea J.J.Sm.
*Megalotus Garay
*India A.N.Rao
*Samarorchis Ormerod
Common Names:Pouched orchids, Ji shu lan shu
Chinese name: Jishu lan. In Hong Kong: preci- pice orchid, big ladder orchid
Thai name: Uang Man Pu
Habitat:Robiquetia is native to throughout Asia, New Guinea, northern Australia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean.The large pouched orchid grows on trees and rocks in rainforest, usually in strong light.
Description:
Orchids in the genus Robiquetia are epiphytic, monopodial herbs with pendulous, fibrous, sometimes branching stems and many smooth roots. The leaves are arranged in two ranks and are thick and leathery, oblong to elliptic, with a divided, asymmetrical, tip. Many small, densely crowded flowers are arranged on a pendulous flowering stem that emerges from a leaf axil. The sepals and petals are similar to each other and the labellum has three lobes and an inflated spur on its tip.Flowering period is May to August in Thailand and northeast India. It ?owers from June to September in China. It is found open forests and on cliffs at 500–1200 m in India and Bhutan across Myanmar and Thailand to Laos and Vietnam, and China.
Cultivation:
Temperature: Warm to intermediate.
Light: Filtered diffuse light, no direct sun.
Water-Humidity: Maintain even moisture and high humidity. Constant air movement is also important.
Fertilizer:Half-strength balanced fertilizer during the growing cycle, once a week. Once every 2 weeks in the cooler months.
Potting: Medium grade bark or aggregate mix in a terra cotta or plastic pot.
Medicinal Uses:
Phytochemistry: Alkaloid is present in small amounts.
Herbal Usage: The whole plant is used as a blood tonic. In CTM, it is used to treat “heaty coughs”; it soothes the lungs.
Chinese medicinal name: Xiaoyejishu Lan
Phytochemistry: Alkaloid is present in small amounts.
Herbal Usage: The whole plant is used as a blood tonic. In CTM, it is used to treat “heaty coughs”; it soothes the lungs.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robiquetia
https://www.aos.org/orchids/orchids-a-to-z/letter-r/robiquetia.aspx
https://www.perfumeworkshop.com/therapeuticorchids7.html
