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Boat Orchid

Cymbidium

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameBoat Orchid

DescriptionElegant orchid featuring graceful arching sprays of waxy flowers with distinctive boat-shaped lips that give the genus its name. Blooms appear in winter and spring in shades of white, pink, yellow, green, brown, and red, often with contrasting spotted or striped lips. One of the easiest orchids to grow, valued for exceptionally long-lasting flowers that can remain fresh for 8-12 weeks on the plant or 2-3 weeks as cut flowers.

FamilyOrchidaceae

GenusCymbidium

TribeCymbidieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ P3+3 A1 G(3)

Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, 6 tepals in 2 whorls of 3 (3 sepals + 3 petals with one modified into lip), 1 stamen fused with style forming column, 3 fused carpels with inferior ovary typical of Orchidaceae

Features

Name 'Cymbidium' derives from Greek 'kymbe' meaning boat, referring to the hollow, boat-shaped lip (labellum) of the flower. Also called 'Boat Orchid' for this distinctive feature
Flowers have three sepals and three petals with a specialized lip that is boat-shaped and often spotted or striped. Blooms arranged in arching or pendulous sprays of 10-30 flowers, each lasting 8-12 weeks. Many varieties are lightly fragrant
Sympodial epiphytic or terrestrial perennial that grows from pseudobulbs (swollen stems that store water and nutrients). Blooms winter through spring (December-April). Can be grown outdoors in mild climates or as houseplants
Height ranges from 12 inches (30 cm) for miniature varieties to 4 feet (120 cm) for standard types. Flower spikes can reach 2-3 feet long. Lifespan of 10-30 years or more with proper care. Propagated by division of pseudobulbs
Native to tropical and subtropical Asia from the Himalayas through China, Japan, Southeast Asia to Australia. Found growing epiphytically on trees or terrestrially in humus-rich soil at elevations from sea level to 2,000 meters
Requires bright indirect light with some direct morning sun. Prefers cool nights (50-55°F/10-13°C) and warm days (70-80°F/21-27°C). Needs well-draining orchid mix and regular watering during growth, reduced in winter
Excellent cut flower used extensively in corsages, bouquets, and floral arrangements. One of the most commercially important orchid genera. Easier to grow than many orchids, making them popular for beginners

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCymbidium

English (Alternate)Cymbidium Orchid, Boat-Lip Orchid, and Spray Orchid

Hindiसिम्बिडियम ऑर्किड (Simbiḍiyam Orkiḍ)

Tamilசிம்பிடியம் ஆர்க்கிட் (Cimpiṭiyam Ārkiṭ)

Teluguసింబిడియం ఆర్కిడ్ (Simbiḍiyaṁ Ārikiḍ)

Malayalamസിംബിഡിയം ഓർക്കിഡ് (Simbiḍiyaṁ Ōrkiḍ)

Kannadaಸಿಂಬಿಡಿಯಂ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (Simbiḍiyaṁ Ārkiḍ)

Sanskritनौकपुष्पम् (Naukapuṣpam)

Bengaliসিম্বিডিয়াম অর্কিড (Simbiḍiẏāma arkiḍa)

Frenchorchidée cymbidium

Russianцимбидиум (tsimbidium)

Spanishorquídea cymbidium

GermanKahnorchidee

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.