Cymbidium madidum
Lindley
Buttercup Orchid
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCymbidium madidum, commonly known as giant boat-lip orchid, is a plant in the orchid family and is endemic to north-eastern Australia. It is a clump-forming epiphyte or lithophyte with crowded pseudobulbs, each with between four and eight flat, strap-shaped, thin leaves and up to seventy olive green flowers with the sepals and petals curving forwards. It is found in moist habitats in eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.
Description
An orchid. It has large pseudobulbs. The leaves are erect to arching. They can be 80 cm long. The flower stalks are arching or hang down. They can be 1.2 m long. It may produce 50 to 60 flowers. Each flower can be 2.5 cm long. The flowers have a slight sweet scent. The flowers are green to yellow.
Edible Uses
The pseudobulbs are eaten.
Distribution
It grows in tropical and subtropical places. It can grow from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It grows in rotting stumps. It can grow in heavy shade but also tolerate some sun. It is damaged by drought or frost. It needs humus-rich moist soil.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Hawaii, Pacific, USA,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown by division.
Notes
They are used in medicine. There are about 40 Cymbidium species and thousands of hybrids.
References (10)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 313
- Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 119
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1984, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 3. Lothian. p 151
- Haslam, S., 2004, Noosa's Native Plants. Noosa Integrated Catchment Assn. Inc. p 332
- Hinton, B & B., 1982, A Wilderness in Bloom. Wildflowers of tropical Australia. p 10
Show all 10 references Hide references
- Holliman, J., (Ed.), 2002, Orchids. Botanica's Pocket. Random House, Australia. p 173
- Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 317
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 72
- Scarth-Johnson, V., 2000, National Treasures. Flowering Plants of Cooktown and Northern Australia. Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association. Cooktown, Australia. p 149
- Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 721
