Thai Orchid - Gastrochilus bellinus Rchb.f Kuntze

The flowers of this Thai Orchid may be small, measuring just over 2 cm wide but Gastrochilus bellinus (Rchb.f) Kuntze is an extremely beautiful Thai epiphytic orchid. Gastrochilus bellinus can be found in Northern Thailand and is also distributed throughout Southern China, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). In Thailand, this orchid, known as “Seua Dam”, grows at altitude in hilly evergreen forests. The inflorescences of Gastrochilus bellinus contain groups of 5 or more flowers on very short stems. and the leaves are leathery and grow to about 15cm long. The eye catching flowers have greenish yellow sepals and petals covered with red-brown blotches and the lip is white and hairy with a deep yellow centre spot with reddish markings. This is an orchid which does not like its roots being confined in a pot and will thrive if attached to a tree where its roots can spread out. The flowering period of Gastrochilus bellinus Rchb.f Kuntze is January to March.