Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Pholidota imbricata (Roxb.) Lindl.

Epiphytic orchid with pseudobulbs bearing 1 leathery leaf, and apical inflorescences forming a pendant, 2-ranked pseudospiral of pinkish flowers in spring.  [RHSD, Jones, Pridgeon, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A native of several parts of India.  Dr. Wallich informs us, that he has found it on the mountains west of Ava, also high up the rivers in Martaban, and on the mountains upon the Tenasserim coast; and that he does not find it differ in any respect from the species as found in Nipal, where it is exceedingly common, as well as in Sylhet and Chittagong, growing parasitically upon trees in mountain forests.

Our drawing was made last November, in the Garden of the Horticultural Society, to which establishment it had been presented by the Honourable Court of Directors of the East India Company, along with a great quantity of other most rare and valuable plants personally brought to England in the summer of 1828 by Dr. Wallich.

It is a stove plant, requiring the same treatment as other similar epiphytes, but by no means difficult to cultivate.  At the same time with this, the other species of Pholidota above alluded to (undulata Wall.) was brought home; and is thus, it is to be hoped, secured to our Gardens: it is a much more delicate plant.

Upon the subject of its cultivation, Dr. Wallich remarked in the paper from which the foregoing extracts have been made, that, “Like most members of this lovely tribe, it is easily made to grow on the trunks of old trees, taking care to place some vegetable mould under its roots, and tying it so as to retain its situation.  It requires constant humectation, which is easily effected by means of a small vessel suspended over it, with a perforated bottom, through which the water is led down upon the plant by means of a string, the upper end of which fills, though it does not quite shut up, the aperture of the vessel.  It is propagated by separating its bulbous stems, which generally form dense tufts, ornamented with evergreen, dark-coloured, shining leaves, of a peculiarly firm and leathery texture.”’ [BR f.1213/1828].

‘A native of Napal [sic], where it grows upon trees.  It flowered in the Glasgow garden in 1824, according to Dr. Hooker.  It grows very slowly, and continued flowering with us from February to May, or later, in succession.’  [LBC no.1934/1833].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.45/1850].  One of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King.  The source is unclear but was probably Loddiges’ nursery.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes

Published Jan 26, 2010 - 03:38 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 01:23 PM

Figured are leaves, pseudobulbs and pendant raceme of numerous pinkish flowers.  Loddiges Botanical Cabinet  no.1934, 1833.

Pholidota imbricata (Roxb.) Lindl. | LBC no.1934/1833 | RBGS

Family Orchidaceae
Category
Region of origin

Sri Lanka to New Guinea and north eastern Queensland

Synonyms
  • Cymbidium imbricatum Roxb.
Common Name

Rattlesnake orchid

Name in the Camden Park Record

Pholidota imbricata 

Confidence level high