Cymbidium ensifolium (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Sw.
- Protologue: Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. 6: 77 (1799).
Synonyms
Cymbidium sundaicum Schlechter (1919).
Vernacular names
- Vietnam: lan kiếm, thanh ngọc.
Distribution
India, Sri Lanka, Indo-China, China, Taiwan, southern Japan, Thailand, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and New Guinea.
Uses
In Vietnam the leaves are used as a diuretic, the roots as a pectoral and the flowers to treat eye problems. In Taiwan entire plants are used in traditional medicine to treat cough, and lung and gastro-intestinal complaints, and as a sedative and diuretic.
Observations
A terrestrial herb up to 100 cm tall; leaves up to 100 cm × 1.5 cm, with acute tip; inflorescence upright, up to 70 cm long; flowers 3-5 cm in diameter, tepals greenish or yellowish, often each with 1-5 reddish stripes, lip often dotted with red spots or blotches. C. ensifolium is a variable species for which several varieties have been distinguished. It occurs in forest in New Guinea and northern Borneo up to 2000 m altitude.
Selected sources
62, 223, 555, 732, 831, 832, 971, 979, 1007.
Main genus page
Authors
Dzuong Duc Huyen
