The white Phalaenopsis pulcherrima is in flower

This one is mainly a record: I happened to catch the plant in flower.

This is the white-flowered form of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima. It was once classified in a genus of its own, which has since been merged into Phalaenopsis.

It still looks a little different from a typical Phalaenopsis: the flower spike stands upright, the leaves are stiffer, and it copes with strong light somewhat better.

The few plants I have are about five or six years old. I have never really had the time to tend to them properly, yet they still flower every year, so they are fairly easy to grow.

About this species

What follows is compiled from sources.

• Classification: the genus Doritis is now a synonym of Phalaenopsis, and this species' former name Doritis pulcherrima has been placed under Phalaenopsis pulcherrima. The Flora of China gives its Chinese name as 五唇蘭.
• Usual colouring: the sepals and petals are usually pink with a purple lip, and the flowers are often fragrant. This white-flowered form looks clearly different from that.
• Inflorescence: the Flora of China describes the inflorescence as upright, with a peduncle up to 38 cm carrying several loosely spaced flowers.
• Habitat: in the wild it grows on rocks or soil-covered rocks in dense forest or thickets.

There is a fuller introduction on the Phalaenopsis pulcherrima plant page.