Accession Data

Bletilla striata

Common Name: Hyacinth Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Country of Origin: China to Japan

Description: Bletilla striata is of special interest in having an embryo with a rudimentary, vascularized cotyledon--it is one of only ten species (among more than 22,000 orchid species) that does! Moreover, most orchids totally lack endosperm next to the embryo, but in Bletilla some endospermal cells persist within the seed. Bletilla striata also has an interesting capsule that splits open along six lines of weakness.

Uses: Used in traditional Chinese medicine as a haemeostatic agent to control hemorrhage. Also widely used intra- arterially for treatment of cancer in the liver, kidney, and uterus.

Accession Data

USDA Zone: 5-9

Accession #: 198501403

Accession Date: 1985-12-31 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🌸 Flowering

Location: 2306

Quantity: 2

Source: Unknown

Culture: Keep in cool to warm temperatures with bright light. Water regularly. They have a great reputation of being the absolute easiest orchid for a beginner to grow. Unlike most tropical epiphytic orchids, this plant comes from somewhat temperate zones and grows in soil rather than on trees and require no extraordinary care to grow successfully. They prefer well drained evenly moist soils that are high in organic material and that never dry out nor remain sodden. They are sympodial growers and will form handsome clumps in only a few years.6

Classification

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: monocots

Order: Asparagales

Family: Orchidaceae

SubFamily: Epidendroideae

Tribe: Arethuseae

SubTribe: Bletiinae

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

References

  1. Plants For A Future Website
  2. UCLA Botanical Garden Newsletter
  3. The use of orchids in traditional Chinese Medicine. J R Soc Med. 2007 Dec; 100(12): 558-563. Accessed 15 February 2015.
  4. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 21 May 2015.
  5. WCSP (2015). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed 21 May 2015
  6. Bletilla striata at Orchids Wiki. Accessed 21 May 2015.
  7. Bletilla at Wikipedia. Last accessed on Wednesday, July 13, 2016.

Images

Bletilla striata
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