Know more about Euanthe sanderiana, National Flower of the Philippines
One of the most outstanding of all orchid species is, in my opinion, Euanthe sanderiana. Its importance in hybridizing, with allied genera, is undeniable. Orchid shows, particularly those held in tropical countries, would be a whole lot less spectacular, without these magnificent, and beautifully colored hybrids.
Euanthe sanderiana was first discovered (by Europeans) on the 14th of July, 1880, by Carl Roebelin (18551927). Mr. Roebelin worked as a plant collector for Frederick Sander (18471920). Mr. Sander, at that time, had the largest orchid/plant nursery in Europe, if not the world, and was very well-known as “The Orchid King.”
Heinrich G. Reichenbach (18231889) described this species in 1882, in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, and he gave it the name of Vanda sanderiana. Interestingly he also named it, in the same paper, as Esmeralda sanderiana. I cannot find any explanation as to why this was done.
Rudolf Schlechter (1872-1925) created the genus Euanthe in 1914, in the German journal Orchideen. The generic name refers to the beauty of the flowers.
For this author it is simply because, in my opinion, it is the correct generic designation. Plant taxonomy is an inexact science, and when it is all said and done, it boils down to someone’s opinion.
There are morphological differences between Euanthe and Vanda they can be enumerated as follows:
The labellum of Euanthe lacks a spur; whereas all true Vanda species have a spur. The leaves of Euanthe are spaced closely together on the stem; in a Vanda the leaves are further apart. If a leaf of a Euanthe is cut cross-wise it has the shape of a “V” (acutely-angled or less than 90 degrees); the majority of Vanda species have leaves that are like a flattened “V” (obtusely-angled or more than 90 degrees). All the floral segments of Euanthe are broadly ovate to circular; in Vanda the floral segments of the majority of the species are spathulate (spoon-shaped).
Since Euanthe sanderiana was first described, there have also been a number of color forms named, and the most beautiful of these is Euanthe
sanderiana fma. albata. This form when first described was noted as having white dorsal sepal and petals with purple spotting at the base; with the lateral sepals yellow with a white margin. The disc of the labellum was also purple-spotted. Over the years, with selective breeding, by growers in Hawaii and Thailand, the flowers now seem to lack the coloration as originally described. The so-called fma. albata,
which we see nowadays are white and bright apple-green.
Euanthe sanderiana is only known from the island of Mindanao, and populations have been recorded from the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. It grows as an epiphyte on the trunks and large branches of old-growth forest trees at elevations up to 500 meters.
Due to the destruction of the original rain forest, it is highly doubtful if there are any wild populations remaining, of this most wonderful of all Philippine orchid species.
On February 4th 2013, the Philippine Senate made Euanthe sanderiana the
“National Flower of the Philippines.” A most fitting tribute to one of the most wonderful of all orchid species.
On February 4th, 2013, the Philippine Senate made Euanthe sanderiana the “National Flower of the
Philippines.”
Why Euanthe and not Vanda?