Ludisia discolor
Encyclopedia
Ludisia discolor, the black jewel orchid, is an orchid species native to Malaysia, Indonesia
and Burma. It is a terrestrial orchid, which mean it grows in soil and soil-like medium on the ground. In their natural environment, these orchids can be found growing on the forest floor. They are known for their foliage, which is velvety; deep maroon leaves with red veins that run parallel to the center.
It blooms typically from December to February (Winter–early Spring). Flowers are white with twisting yellow columns
. Individual flowers are small but grow in clusters on upright stalks. Flowers will open any time from December to February and last a month or more.
Ludisia discolor tolerates intermediate to warm environments. They need high humidity and warm temperatures. Because of these temperature preferences, they can be grown in terrariums or pots. Low to medium light is ideal, and they tolerate extremely low light levels. Jewel orchid
s are terrestrial and thus prefer equal parts of soil and peat moss with perlite
as a drainage additive.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Burma. It is a terrestrial orchid, which mean it grows in soil and soil-like medium on the ground. In their natural environment, these orchids can be found growing on the forest floor. They are known for their foliage, which is velvety; deep maroon leaves with red veins that run parallel to the center.
It blooms typically from December to February (Winter–early Spring). Flowers are white with twisting yellow columns
Column (botany)
The column, or technically the gynostemium, is a reproductive structure that can be found in several plant families: Aristolochiaceae, Orchidaceae, and Stylidiaceae....
. Individual flowers are small but grow in clusters on upright stalks. Flowers will open any time from December to February and last a month or more.
Ludisia discolor tolerates intermediate to warm environments. They need high humidity and warm temperatures. Because of these temperature preferences, they can be grown in terrariums or pots. Low to medium light is ideal, and they tolerate extremely low light levels. Jewel orchid
Jewel orchid
Jewel orchid can refer to any orchid grown for its leaves rather than its flowers, including:*Anoectochilus*Anoectochilus sandvicensis, Hawaii jewel orchid*Goodyera*Ludisia, a genus of orchids*Ludisia discolor, jewel orchid*Macodes...
s are terrestrial and thus prefer equal parts of soil and peat moss with perlite
Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently...
as a drainage additive.