About
The most notable feature of *Ludisia discolor* is its striking foliage, which is deep maroon and velvety with prominent red veins. It is a popular terrestrial orchid, often cultivated for its unique leaf color and white flowers with yellow columns.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant has striking foliage that is deep maroon and velvety with red veins running parallel to the center of the leaf. The flowers are white with twisting yellow columns, growing in small clusters on upright stalks.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Southern China, Northeast India, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Cultivation notes
Requires high humidity and warm temperatures with low to medium light, and it tolerates extremely low light levels.
Conservation
Faces threats from climate change and environmental factors, and is also susceptible to Fusarium oxysporum, which causes a stem rot affecting flowering.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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