Arundina graminifolia

Species of the Month

Arundina graminifolia  D.Don Hochr.

The below species was sighted in the month of May 2012 in and around Kalimpong. Kalimpong is a multicultural society. The area around Kalimpong lies in the Eastern Himalayas, which is classified as an ecological hotspot, one of only three among the eco-regions of India. Several species of rhododendrons are found in the region east of Kalimpong. The temperate deciduous forests include oak, birch, maple and alder.  Three hundred species of orchids are found in and around Kalimpong, and Poinsettia and sunflower are some of the wild species that line the roads of Kalimpong.

Known as the bamboo orchid, Arundina graminifolia; syn Arundina bambusifolia Lindl. belongs to the genus Arundina of Orchidaceae family.There are two species in the genus, the other one is Arundina caespitosa Aver. from Vietnam. It is believed to be a highly variable species, recorded in India from the southern and northeastern regions. It is distributed throughout India and other parts of South-Eastern Asia.

The name Arundina comes from the Latin word Arundo, meaning reed, and graminifolia means grass-like. The plants are quite tall; they’ll reach at least hip level, possibly over head, and their vegetative resemblance to bamboo can be uncanny.

It is an Indo-Malesian terrestrial genus with reed-like tall, stout, erect stem and grass-like leaves that are about 15-30 cm. Beautiful flowers that are large, showy and white to pink and usually bloom in the months of April to September. Flowers opening in succession, one or two at a time with trumpet shaped lip, lacking a spur. Flowers lasts for a few days when they are in bloom and are easily seen from a distance as they typically are 6-7 cm in size.

Arundinas readily propagate themselves by keikis, which frequently develop along the pseudobulbs. The occasional fertilized seed pods contain minute powdery seeds, and small plants often develop near the cane ends after flowering, and likely aid in propagation if allowed to reach the soil.

This species Arundina graminifolia is a mainstay in many spectacular tropical gardens, planted in raised beds en masse like they do at the famous Singapore Orchid gardens. The long season compared to most other orchids and the attractive upright growth of the canes make it indispensable.

The plants produce basal shoots and they can be removed by division and propagated. The species has specific pollinator and in the absence of which in nature it may not spread.

Species of the month by Srikanth Parthasarathy.