The genus Paraphalaenopsis, abbreviated as Prphln in horticultural trade, is a member of the orchid family (Orchidaceae), consisting of 4 species endemic to Borneo and one natural (unconfirmed) hybrid, Paraphalaenopsis × thorntonii (P. denevei × P. serpentilingua). Named by American botanist Alex Drum Hawkes.[1]

They are morphologically similar to Phalaenopsis and were a long time considered as species of that genus. Their flowers are similar, but the leaves of Paraphalaenopsis are cylindrical and long (from 35 cm up to 3m in cultivation). This latter measurement belongs to the "rat-tail orchid" (P. labukensis) with a maximum length of 3.05 meters (ten feet);[2] the greatest length of any orchid leaf. These leaves resemble the leaves of the Holcoglossum. These are epiphytes that bloom in early spring.[3]

Species

Image Name Distribution Elevation in meters (m)
Paraphalaenopsis denevei A.D.Hawkes (1963) western Borneo 300 m
Paraphalaenopsis labukensis Shim, A.L.Lamb & C.L.Chan (1981) Sabah Borneo 500 – 1000 m
Paraphalaenopsis laycockii (M.R.Hend.) A.D.Hawkes (1963) central and south Borneo
Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua (J.J.Sm.) A.D.Hawkes (1963) Borneo 0– 1000 m

References

  1. ^ "IOSPE PHOTOS". www.orchidspecies.com. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  2. ^ "The longest orchid leaf in the world - MySabah.com". Archived from the original on 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  3. ^ "Paraphalaenopsis". www.aos.org. Retrieved 2019-06-02.