Taxon

Coelogyne cristata

 
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Coelogyne cristata - Crested Snow Orchid, The Crested Coelogyne
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Common name: Crested Snow Orchid, The Crested Coelogyne
Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)
Distribution: Himalaya to Bangladesh
Habitat: Moss forests; 4920-8530ft (1500-2600m)
Life form: Lithophytic
Ethnobotanical uses: Once used widely in cut-flower arrangements.
Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): December to May; peak in February and March
Bloom characteristics: Pendulous to semi-erect inflorescence is 6-12" (15.2-30.5 cm) long with 5-8 white flowers which bloom simultaneously. Each showy, white flower is 3-5" (7.6-12.7 cm) across and lasts about 4-5 week.
Medicinal/pharmaceutical: In Nepal, the pseudobulbs are used medicinally for cooling and soothing purposes. In India, juice from the pseudobulbs is applied to boils, or wounds on animals' hooves.
Foliage characteristics: Evergreen
Fragrance: Sweet (Banana, candy, citrus)
Plant size: 6-10" x 4-8" (15-25 x 10-20 cm), excluding inflorescence
Description: The Crested Coelogyne has the largest flower of its genus, and is relatively easy to care for without a greenhouse. It is a small to medium sized orchid which enjoys cool temperatures.
Links: Flowers of India • Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia • Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families

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