Pigeon Orchid
Encyclopedia
A member of the family Orchidaceae
, Dendrobium crumenatum produces white, fragrant flower
s with a yellow tinted throat. The bloom cycle is triggered by sudden drops in temperature (at least 5.5 °C or 10 °F), usually as a result of rain, although the same effect can be artificially created. The plant produces a fragrant smell, but only for two days. From the side view, the orchid resemble a flying pigeon; that's how it's known commonly as the Pigeon Orchid. Other common names are Sparrow Orchid and Bag-shaped Dendrobium; "dove orchid" usually refers to the genus
Peristeria
, but sometimes to D. crumenatum.
A tropical epiphytic plant, this orchid is most common in Malaysia, as well as in Singapore
; found growing naturally on trees in the tropical forests, this fragrant orchid is used in landscaping (eg: roadside planting) as a decorative plants. In the University Putra Malaysia (UPM), the plant can be found living on the trunk of Samanea saman
(rain tree) along the entrance of the main campus. In nature, the orchid plant can be observed in the Air Itam Dam and Penang Hill in Penang
.
In some states of Malaysia, as in Perak and Pahang state, the Pigeon Orchid is associated with spiritual beliefs. The Malay community would plant the orchid in front of their house, usually near to the entrance door, as a talisman for protection. It is believed that the plant is able to ward off evil forces from entering the house.
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
, Dendrobium crumenatum produces white, fragrant flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s with a yellow tinted throat. The bloom cycle is triggered by sudden drops in temperature (at least 5.5 °C or 10 °F), usually as a result of rain, although the same effect can be artificially created. The plant produces a fragrant smell, but only for two days. From the side view, the orchid resemble a flying pigeon; that's how it's known commonly as the Pigeon Orchid. Other common names are Sparrow Orchid and Bag-shaped Dendrobium; "dove orchid" usually refers to the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Peristeria
Peristeria (orchid)
Peristeria is a genus of plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae commonly called Dove Orchid or Holy Ghost Orchid. In line with the common name, the genus' name is from the Greek word peristerion meaning "from dove"...
, but sometimes to D. crumenatum.
A tropical epiphytic plant, this orchid is most common in Malaysia, as well as in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
; found growing naturally on trees in the tropical forests, this fragrant orchid is used in landscaping (eg: roadside planting) as a decorative plants. In the University Putra Malaysia (UPM), the plant can be found living on the trunk of Samanea saman
Samanea saman
Albizia samanalso known as samanea saman, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Neotropics. Its range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil, but it has been widely introduced to South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands, including...
(rain tree) along the entrance of the main campus. In nature, the orchid plant can be observed in the Air Itam Dam and Penang Hill in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
.
In some states of Malaysia, as in Perak and Pahang state, the Pigeon Orchid is associated with spiritual beliefs. The Malay community would plant the orchid in front of their house, usually near to the entrance door, as a talisman for protection. It is believed that the plant is able to ward off evil forces from entering the house.