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thailand parrot flower

impatiens psittacina

Description:

Impatiens psittacina is called the parrot flower, or “Dork nok khaew“ in Thai. The delicate, 2-inch bloom of this tropical flower takes the shape of a parrot in flight, in colors of lilac, reddish purple and white. The parrot flower, which grows to a height of about 6 feet, is a rare and protected species found in northern Thailand. It flowers in October and November and requires moist and humid conditions. In 1901, British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817 to 1911) described the parrot flower as looking like a “cockatoo suspended by a string from its shoulders," as quoted in the “Curtis Botanical Journal Magazine.” Hooker named the plant, selecting the epithet “Psittacina,” meaning “parrot-like.” A British officer, A.H. Hildebrand, discovered it. Thailand prohibits exports of the parrot flower and its seeds.

Notes:

this is taken in thailand from a friend who wants an ID..appreciate it

2 Comments

ceherzog
ceherzog 12 years ago

Not an orchid but an Impatiens!

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 12 years ago

Very cute..

SusanEllison
Spotted by
SusanEllison

Phetchabun, Thailand

Spotted on Jun 9, 2011
Submitted on Jun 9, 2011

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