Aerides crassifolia Parish ex Burb. 1873 is an epiphytic growing orchid species, native to Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

As we found this beautiful Aerides orchid at an orchid exhibition in our home town Chiang Mai, North Thailand, the Aerides crassifolia was just labeled in Thai letters and my friend translated it as Kulap Daeng, means red rose, but it`s not a rose, he said. This is one of the biggest problems we have to face, while we´re out for photographic works. Thai people have their very own names for all kinds of plants and mostly they don`t have an idea about the botanical name. Finally we asked one of our friends, who run a small orchid shop. What is Kulap Daeng ? She said, thats not the complete name, the orchid is called Ueang Kulap Daeng, means red rose orchid, and showed up the orchid in a very recommendable book, what we also use for orchid identification: A Field Guide to the Wild Orchids of Thailand by Nantiya Vaddhanaphuti. The riddle has been solved. Inflorescences of Aerides crassifolia reach lengths up to about 30 cm and carry up to 50 highly fragrant flowers. Flowers get a size of about 3 cm.
Flowering period: April - May. Aerides crassifolia orchids are protected by CITES Appendix II (trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival).

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Image: Aerides crassifolia Parish ex Burb. 1873