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2007-06-26T06:52:59Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = '''Bamboo orchid'''
| image = Arundina graminifolia USGS.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asparagales]]
| familia = [[Orchidaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Epidendroideae]]
| tribus = [[Arethuseae]]
| subtribus = [[Bletiinae]]
| alliance = Arundina
| genus = '''''Arundina'''''
| genus_authority = [[Louis Claude Richard|Rich.]]
| species = '''''A. graminifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Arundina graminifolia''
| binomial_authority = ([[D.Don]]) [[Hochr.]]
}}

The '''bamboo orchid''' ('''''Arundina graminifolia'''''; [[syn.]] ''Arundina bambusifolia'' Lindl., ''Arundina speciosa'' Blume, ''Bletia graminifolia'' D.Don) is a [[species]] of [[orchid]] and the sole of the genus '''''Arundina'''''. This [[Tropics|tropical]] [[Asia]]tic genus extends from [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[South China]] to [[Indonesia]] and across the [[Pacific Islands]]. It has been introduced in [[Puerto Rico]], [[Costa Rica]] and [[Panama]].

The bamboo orchid is a terrestrial multiperennial orchid with reedy [[Plant stem|stems]], forming into large clumps growing to a height between 70 cm and 2 m.

The plaited linear [[Leaf|leaves]] are oblong lanceolate, with a length of 9 to 19 cm and a width of 0.8 to 1.5 cm. The [[apex]] is acuminate. There are amplexicaul (clasping the stem) sheathing [[stipule]]s.
[[Image:Arundina graminifolia.jpg|thumb|left|200px|'''Bamboo Orchid''', Costa Rica]]
<br clear=left />
This orchid blooms in summer and autumn, showing rather open clusters of showy terminal [[flowers]], ten at the most. They bloom in succession on the terminal [[raceme]]s, which are 7 to 16 cm long. These flowers, 5 – 8 cm in diameter, are a rosy lilac and white disk with a purple [[labellum|lip]]. The bracts are wide triangular and surround the main stalk of the flower cluster. The occasional fertilized seed pods contain minute powdery seeds, and small plants often develop near the cane ends after flowering, and likely aid in propagation if allowed to reach the soil.

With only 200 of the plant to be recorded growing naturally in [[Singapore]], the species is close to extinction there, largely caused by the destruction of its natural habitat, namely the [[rainforest]]s and [[mangrove]] forests. The remaining plants, commonly called '''Tapah weeds''', can be found in the secondary forests or at the forest fringes. It is however very common in road cuts and other disturbed areas in full sun in Sarawak, East Malaysia, where it often is the most common flowering plant to be seen along the roadsides.

{{commons}}

[[Category:Orchid genera]]
[[Category:Orchid species]]
[[Category:Flora of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Flora of Malaysia]]
[[Category:Flora of Singapore]]
[[Category:Flora of Thailand]]

Bamboo orchid - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 06:52, 26 June 2007