Phaius tankervilleae

Phaius tankervilleae is a species in the genus Phaius.

DescriptionEdit

Plant blooms in the spring with many 11.5 cm wide flowers. Flowers are fragrant.

This species has became invasive in Jamaica and Hawaii. In Papua the flowers are smoked and eaten as a contraceptive.

DistributionEdit

Plant are found growing in the lower montane forest and in grass land depressions of Australia, the Pacific Islands, Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern China at elevations up to 1300 meters

CultureEdit

Plants require shade and intermediate to warm temperatures. Plants should be potted in a mix that retain some moisture such as 40% fir bark, 30% sphagnum moss, and 30% soil. Medium should be kept moist during growing season. When growth matures with hold watering for 3 to 4 weeks. Repotting should be done after flowering. . New plants can be obtained from the old spikes by laying the spike out in sand and half covering it.

NamingEdit

Common Names: Tankerville's Phaius, Nun's Orchid, Kunai Orchid, Swamp Orchid, Swamp Lilly, Greater Swamp Orchid

SynonymsEdit

1. Bletia incarvillei R. Br. ?
2. Bletia tankervilleae R. Br. 1813
3. Calanthe bachmaensis Gagnep. 1950
4. Calanthe speciosa Viell. 1861
5. Dendrobium veratrifolium Roxb. 1832
6. Limodorum incarvilliae Pers. 1807
7. Limodorum spectabile Salisb. 1796
8. *Limodorum tankervilleae Banks 1788
9. Pachyne spectabilis Salisb. 1812
10. Phaius australis F. Muell. 1888
11. Phaius bernaysii F. Mueller ex Bernays 1873
12. Phaius bicolor Lindley 1831
13. Phaius blumei Lindley 1831
14. Phaius blumei Lindley var assamicus Rchb.f 1882
15. Phaius blumei Lindley var pulcher King & Pantl. 1898
16. Phaius carroni F. Muell. 1860
17. Phaius giganteus Hemsl. 1882
18. Phaius grandifolius Rchb.f 1828
19. Phaius grandifolius Lour 1790
20. Phaius grandifolius Lindl.1831
21. Phaius grandifolius var. superbus Van Houtte 1852
22. Phaius incarvillei O.Ktze. 1891
23. Phaius incarvillei O.Ktze. var speciosa
24. Phaius leucophaeus F. Muell. 1863
25. Phaius mannii Rchb.f 1878
26. Phaius oweniae Sander 1894
27. Phaius roeblingii O'Brien 1895
28. Phaius tankervilleae f. veronicae S.Y.Hu & Barretto 1976
29. Phaius tankervilleae var. pulchra (King & Pantl.) Karth. 1989
30. Phaius tankervilleae var. superbus (Van Houtte) S.Y.Hu 1974
31. Phaius tenuis Rchb. f. 1857
32. Phaius veratrifolius (Roxb.) Lindl. 1840
33. Tankervillia cantoniensis Link 1829