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Vanda Orchid
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Vanda Orchid

Vanda

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameVanda Orchid
DescriptionSpectacular tropical orchid renowned for large, flat-faced flowers in vibrant shades of blue, purple, pink, white, yellow, and orange, often with intricate checkered or tessellated patterns. These monopodial epiphytes grow upward from a single stem with thick aerial roots and strap-like or cylindrical leaves. Highly valued as cut flowers and in tropical gardens, vandas can bloom multiple times per year with flowers lasting 2-4 weeks.
FamilyOrchidaceae
GenusVanda
TribeVandeae

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 'Vanda' comes from Sanskrit word for the species Vanda tessellata. Vanda Miss Joaquim, a natural hybrid, is Singapore's national flower. Genus includes about 80 species native to tropical Asia
  • Large, showy flowers with five spreading petals and sepals arranged in a flat, rounded form. Many species feature tessellated (checkered) patterns in contrasting colors. Flowers measure 2-5 inches across and appear in sprays of 6-15 blooms
  • Monopodial epiphytic perennial that grows continuously upward from a single stem, producing thick, silvery-green aerial roots. Blooms 2-3 times yearly in ideal conditions. Three leaf types: strap-leaved (flat), terete (cylindrical), and semi-terete (intermediate)
  • Height ranges from 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) depending on age and species. Flower sprays extend 6-18 inches. Lifespan of 10-20 years or more with proper care. Propagated by stem cuttings or keikis (offshoots)
  • Native to tropical Asia including India, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and northern Australia. Found growing on trees in warm, humid forests from sea level to 1,500 meters elevation
  • Requires very bright light (50-70% full sun) and warm temperatures (65-95°F/18-35°C). Needs high humidity (60-80%) and excellent air circulation. Best grown in slatted baskets with exposed roots, watered daily in warm weather
  • Excellent cut flowers lasting 2-4 weeks in water. Widely used in tropical leis, corsages, and floral arrangements. Many species are fragrant. Important commercial crop in Thailand, Singapore, and Hawaii

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificVanda
English (Alternate)Vandaceous Orchid, Strap-Leaf Orchid, and Blue Orchid
Hindiवंदा ऑर्किड (Vandā Orkiḍ), रसना (Rasanā)
Tamilவாண்டா ஆர்க்கிட் (Vāṇṭā Ārkiṭ)
Teluguవాండా ఆర్కిడ్ (Vāṇḍā Ārikiḍ)
Malayalamവാൻഡ ഓർക്കിഡ് (Vānḍa Ōrkiḍ)
Kannadaವಾಂಡಾ ಆರ್ಕಿಡ್ (Vāṇḍā Ārkiḍ)
Sanskritवन्दा (Vandā), रसना (Rasanā)
Bengaliভান্ডা অর্কিড (Bhānḍā arkiḍa), রাসনা (Rāsanā)
Frenchorchidée vanda
Russianванда (vanda)
Spanishorquídea vanda
GermanVanda-Orchidee

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.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.