#bletilla

Bletilla striata / Chinese Ground Orchid at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC

Bletilla striata, or Chinese ground orchid. Hardy to -9°C! (15°F). Very easygoing and I just grow it like a spring bulb

Bletilla striata is an orchid native to parts of Asia, including Japan, Korea, but most notably China which gives it the common name “Chinese ground orchid.” This terrestrial orchid grows well in many climatic zones, tolerating down to -20F and sometimes lower during its winter dormancy, but also thriving in climates where the winter low is 50 degrees warmer. The specific epithet refers to the striped leaves emerging from a buried pseudobulb, but I would have as easily thought it could refer to the frilled lip on the flower. While it is now largely grown for its aesthetic appeal and ease of cultivation, it has historically been used as a source of glue in traditional Chinese craft for which the pseudobulb of the plant is dried and ground up. Posting this as we head into fall, my plants of this species are going dormant with their leaves turning brown and dropping in a matter of days, only to return next year in greater numbers!

欧文名:Bletilla

Here are three species of orchid seeds showing difference in size. The tiny one is Thelymitra pauciflora, big white one is Bletilla striata and dark brown one is Microtis unifolia.

Here’s a treat! An entire bank of Bletilla striata ‘Alba’, a hardy orchid native to East Asia. #bloomingnow #may #bletilla #bletillastriata #alba #rva #white #rvagardentrail #va #garden

月曜日、お疲れりん🔔 ♥ この花はなんだい？ シラン！ ♥ 毎年、同じキャプションを書いてる気がする。成長ないなあ💦 ♥ #道端で咲いてた花シリーズ #シラン #紫蘭 #bletilla #神奈川 #秦野 ホントによく見かけます。ケバ目の若いお姉ちゃん、って感じです、ね。 ♥

Not sure if it's normally an autumn bloomer but the leaves are starting to turn color. I'll do a separate post for that later