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Pleione formosana #3

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Orchidaceae - S.E. China, N. and C. Taiwan

Taiwan Pleione

 

"Peacock orchids (genus Pleione) are a small group of beautiful, predominantly terrestrial but sometimes epiphytic or lithophytic, miniature orchids. This genus is named after Pleione, mother of the Pleiades (in Greek mythology) and comprises about 20 species. Other common names of this genus include glory of the East, Himalayan crocus, Indian crocus and windowsill orchid. The genus Diploconchium Schauer is generally included here. The Gladiolus callianthus is also sometimes commonly referred to as a "peacock orchid," however it has no relation to the pleione flower. The genus Pleione is abbreviated Pln in trade journals.

 

"They are distributed in the mountains and foothills of Himalaya, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China and are well adapted to cold temperatures and even frost. A few, however, prefer warmer temperatures. They grow in well-drained habitats and on rocks covered with moss at altitudes between 600 and 4200 m." (Wikipedia)

 

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Photographed in U.C. Botanical Garden at Berkeley - Berkeley, California

 

 

 

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Uploaded on April 7, 2009
Taken on April 1, 2009