Species of the Month – September 2019
Robiquetia rosea (Lindl.) Garay.
Genus Robiquetia has about 95 accepted species with its home ranging from from tropical and sub tropical Asia to Western Pacific. It is commonly known as “pouched orchid’ and the name comes after French chemist Pierre Jean Robiquet, whose important discoveries include morphine and caffeine. There are about 8 species in India, with type species being Robiquetia ascendens.
Distribution: Genus Robiquetia is distributed across China, Indian Sub continent, Indo China, Malesia, New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Vanatau and Queensland. Distribution of the genus in India is across A & N islands, North Eastern States, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Robiquetia rosea is distributed in Karnataka (Western Ghats) and Sri Lanka. Its synonyms being Saccalabium roseum, Gastrochilus roseus, Malleola rosea. The other species in India are R. andamanica, R. arunachalensis, R.gracilis, R.josephiana, R. spathulata, R. succisa and R.virescens. Robiquetia cerina which is endemic to Philippines is a beautiful species.
Plant: It is a monopodial epiphyte, with pendulous fibrous and branching stem and smooth roots. Leaves are typically arranged in two ranks and are thick and leathery with asymmetrical tip and sheathing at the base. Flowers are small, densely arranged and often brightly coloured. Lip adnate to the column. Flowering during the months of April to October. The plants have slender stem, flowers are dark purple and lip incurved.
Culture: These species grow best on slab as many of them have pendulous habit. The plants prefer s abundant but diffused light, humid conditions for good growth at the same time good air movement. They grow well in intermediate to warm conditions. They may also be grown in pans with well drained media of medium grade bark. They need plenty of water while growing.
Hybrids: Some of the species of the genera have been used in hybridisation program and few of the hybrids registered are as follows.
Robostylis Aphrodite – Robiquetia spathulata x Rhynchostylis retusa
Vanquetia Cherry Blossom – Robiquetia mooreana x Vanda ampullaceal
Vanquetia Rumrill Vangurad – Robiquetia spathulata x Vanda falcate
References:
1. Ananda Rao & Sridhar, 2007., Wild Orchids in Karnataka – A pictorial compendium
2. Bechtel, H., Cribb, Phillip and Launert, Edmund., 1986. The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species
3. Bose, T K and Bhattacharjee, S K. 1980. Orchids of India.
4. Botanical Survey of India, 2019. Orchids of India.
5. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
6. www.aos.org
Article and Photos by: Dr. K.S. Shashidhar