Pale Umbrella Orchid

Pale Umbrella Orchid Facts

• This magnificent product of floral evolution most frequently goes by the descriptive common name of the Pale Umbrella Orchid. For the moment, the natural marvel has no other accepted general title. Though not unknown, that’s somewhat uncommon.
• Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Unfortunately, that term’s virtually unpronounceable for the average layperson. That’s because it bears the formal epithet of Bulbophyllum longiflorum.
• The remarkable Angiosperm received that tag due to the efforts of Louis-Marie Aubert du Petit-Thouars. The highly respected French botanist accomplished the first acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that feat in 1822.
• Sadly, though, the beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid currently finds itself in somewhat dire straits. That lamentable situation further holds true throughout the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore presently lists is as Vulnerable on its Red List.
• The remarkable plant faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Like most forms of life on earth today, most of these stem from the actions of man. In its case, these include illegal collecting of the plant and the dangers of climate change.

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Pale Umbrella Orchid Physical Description

Like its many relatives around the globe, the amazing Pale Umbrella Orchid instantly captivates those fortunate enough to view it. Also following their pattern, the breathtaking flora does so due to a combination of its great beauty and intriguing base nature.

This marvelous species develops many multiple long, thin, stems, called rhizomes. These usually extend outward along a surface, typically with a single leaf each. This foliage has an elongated oval form, and generally displays a light to moderately-dark shade of green.

Yet, it’s understandable that the highly distinctive flowers of the amazing plant are what receive the most complimentary thoughts. These delicate marvels of botany develop at the ends of each of the stems. This part of the Angiosperm truly impresses the observer.

The gorgeous blooms appear in groups ranging from 5 – 8 in number. These assemblages also spread outward in a semi-circular pattern. Flowers vary in length, even on the same parent. However, each typically averages somewhere between 3.9 – 7.9 in (10 – 20 cm).

The fabulous Pale Umbrella Orchid manifests each of these eye-catching blossoms at the end of a short, even thinner stem. That part of the orchid measures a mean length of 0.6 – 0.8 in (1.5 – 2.0 cm). It also projects nearly horizontally from the end of the rhizome.

Yet, it’s the stunning appearance of those flowers that must be seen to be believed. They grow elongated in nature, measuring an average of 1.2 – 1.6 in (3 – 4 cm) in length. In width, though, these blooms generally manage a width of roughly 0.12 – 0.2 in (0.3 0.5 cm).

The pattern of coloring of these marvelous aspects of the flora also makes them deserving of admiration. That’s because backgrounds vary, ranging from yellowish to greenish-cream. That’s usually further augmented by the presence of small, random purple dots or spots.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophyta
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Orchidaceae
• Genus: Bulbophyllum
• Species: B. longiflorum

Pale Umbrella Orchid Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The spectacular Pale Umbrella Orchid also evolved as native to an unusual habitat range. That’s true due to the fact that it lives across a wide expanse of the earth’s surface. Yet, within that greater zone of habitation, populations seem to be quite sparsely spread.

Some of these locations include small sections of both Africa and Australia, and Malaysia, in Asia. From there, though, its only seen natively on a number of island and archipelagos. These include such sites as Fiji, New Guinea, Seychelles, and New Caledonia, to name a few.

This botanical wonder also developed requirements regarding its choice of habitat that run to both ends of the spectrum. In one respect, it’s very exact in where it chooses to live. Yet, in another manner, it displays decidedly strong flexibility about its habitat location.

For starters, the species appears naturally almost exclusively in either hill forests or tropical rainforests. That’s very specific. But, inside of those two regions, it dwells at a wide range of altitudes. The plant lives at heights that range from sea level to 5,600 ft (1,707 m).

The beautiful Pale Umbrella Orchid has adapted to the different parts of the world in which it appears. It therefore flowers during various periods of the year in its separate areas of habitation. In all regions, however, it achieves pollination via the actions of many insects.

Inside Africa, the remarkable product of Nature typically blooms between the months of October and January. In Australia, though, this occurs from January to March. Incredibly, though, in New Guinea the flora blossoms continually throughout the entirety of the year.

Like many of its relatives around the world, this marvel took a different path when it comes to achieving its nourishment. It developed as an epiphyte, meaning it grows on the surface of other plants, such as trees, and draws its nourishment from it surroundings.

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