Bamboo orchid

Description:

Arundina graminifolia is a terrestrial, perennial orchid with reedy stems, forming into large clumps growing to a height between 70 cm and 2 m. The plaited linear leaves are oblong lanceolate, with a length of 9 to 19 cm and a width of 0.8 to 1.5 cm. The apex is acuminate. There are amplexicaul (clasping the stem) sheathing stipules.

Habitat:

Arundina graminifolia grows widely in Southeast Asia. The area extends from the southern edge of the Himalayas in Tibet, Bhutan and India over southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, to Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi). A disjoint lying area is located in southern India and Sri Lanka. Introduced as an ornamental plant and it is naturalized in the Philippines, Hawaii, Venezuela and Trinidad. The locations are sunny sites, resulting for example through interference forest clearings or on steep, rocky slopes. The climate is characterized by an only short duration drought. Through human activity, the available sites have expanded, so this type is now frequently on roadsides and embankments.