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Taiwan Jewel Orchid (Anoectochilus formosanus)

Anoectochilus formosanus is a small terrestrial orchid herb with fleshy, creeping or ascending stems. It is reported to be perennial.

LightSources differ on light conditions, describing shaded forest-floor habitat while cultivation guidance recommends partial sun. It prefers low light.
WaterIt is reported to be watered when the growing medium becomes slightly dry while maintaining relatively high ambient humidity, using potting soil or sphagnum moss that supports root growth. It is generally kept slightly d
HumidityIt is reported to prefer high humidity.
TemperatureAnoectochilus formosanus is cool-growing.
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Overview

Anoectochilus formosanus is a small terrestrial orchid herb with fleshy, creeping or ascending stems. It is reported to be perennial.

Origin and habitat

Anoectochilus formosanus is native and endemic to Taiwan. Sources differ in describing its habitat, placing it on shaded, cool, humus-rich forest floors in Taiwan. It occurs in shady, cool, humid forest microclimates and can grow under warm to cool conditions.

Characteristics

The ovate to oval leaves are dark green to dark reddish green, with a velvety texture and conspicuous pale or metallic-looking reticulate veins; their undersides may be pale purplish red. The racemose inflorescences bear resupinate flowers that may be white, with a Y-shaped fork at the end of the lip and yellow, beard-like structures on both sides. Sources differ on its flowering season, describing it as extending from summer into autumn. It is reported to produce hairy capsules containing many winged seeds, while the mature plant is reported by few sources to reach about 20–20 cm in height.

Light

Sources differ on light conditions, describing shaded forest-floor habitat while cultivation guidance recommends partial sun. It prefers low light.

Watering

It is reported to be watered when the growing medium becomes slightly dry while maintaining relatively high ambient humidity, using potting soil or sphagnum moss that supports root growth. It is generally kept slightly dry.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer high humidity.

Temperature and dormancy

Anoectochilus formosanus is cool-growing.

Growing medium and mounting

It is reported to grow in potting soil or sphagnum moss, while in nature it commonly grows on humus-rich forest floors. It is terrestrial and prefers a terrestrial mix.

Feeding

It is reported to receive slow-release complete fertilizer seasonally, while excessive fertilizer may damage the roots.

Propagation

It is reported to be propagated by cuttings or aseptic seed sowing.

Common problems

Cultivated Anoectochilus species are reported to be susceptible to mealybugs, thrips, aphids, spider mites, scale insects, and slugs or snails. Anoectochilus species are reported to develop fungal and bacterial diseases. Excessive fertilization is reported to damage roots, while insufficient humidity in cultivation may hinder growth. Anoectochilus formosanus prefers shaded, cool, humid conditions.

Identification

Its principal ornamental feature is the conspicuous pale to metallic-looking network of veins on dark, velvety leaves; the flower lip has a Y-shaped fork at its tip and yellow, beard-like structures.

Photos

Anoectochilus formosanus
📷 Kuo-Chu Yueh · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Anoectochilus formosanus
📷 Cheng-Tao Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Che · CC BY · source

Sources