Phaius tankervilleae (Banks) Blume 1852, a terrestrial orchid, native to Australia, the Pacific Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Southern China, was named in honour to Lady Emma Tankerville. Lady Emma Tankerville, the wife of Charles Bennet, the fourth Earl of Tankerville (1743 - 1822), was an passionated English orchid enthusiast and orchid collector. In 1932 Kew Garden purchased her collection of over 600 illustrations of tropical plants, where it is still available for visitors. In Thailand the Phaius tankervilleae orchid, with it´s big, colourful and long lasting flowers, is called Ueang Phrao. The erect inflorescence reach a length up to 1,50 m with up to 20 flowers. Flower size: about 10 cm Flowering period: January - April. Phaius tankervilleae orchids are protected by CITES Appendix II (Trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival).

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Image: Phaius tankervilleae (Banks) Blume 1852
Photographer: Posantor “Chocolate” Saelie