Phalaenopsis bellina

Description

Phalaenopsis bellina is an orchid endemic to Borneo. It is one of 75 species of Phalaenopsis and one of the most commonly cultivated species in the genus. Phalaenopsis bellina is found in parts of Borneo, growing in the canopy of trees where they receive abundant sunlight, and experience pronounced wet and dry cycles. Phalaenopsis comes from the Greek word phalaina, which means "moth", and the Latin word bella, which means "beautiful". Phalaenopsis bellina was originally called P. violacea var. Borneo, however it has since been moved into its own species due to differences in habitat and plant morphology. The varieties include coerulea, rubra, alba, and murtoniana. The coerulea form has bluish-violet pigment as opposed to the typically magenta coloring of the nominate type. The rubra form is solid magenta, however it is believed to be a hybrid between P. bellina and its sister species P. violacea. The alba form lacks all pigment, and the flowers thus appear white, and sometimes faintly green. The murtoniana form has a yellow-orange flower base, overlaid with random reddish blotches.