Bletilla striata, known as hyacinth orchid[2] or Chinese ground orchid,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, native to Japan, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), and China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang).[1][4] It is most commonly found growing in clumps alongside grassy slopes with sandy soil.[5]
| Bletilla striata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Arethuseae |
| Genus: | Bletilla |
| Species: | B. striata
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| Binomial name | |
| Bletilla striata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Synonyms list
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The Latin specific epithet striata means "striped", in reference to the ribbed leaves.[6]
Description edit
Bletilla striata is a terrestrial orchid with pleated, spear-shaped leaves. It breaks dormancy in early spring, with each tuber of the previous year potentially sending out multiple shoots. These growths mature over the course of a couple months and eventually bear 3-7 magenta-pink flowers.[7]
Cultivation edit
In cultivation in the UK it is hardy in sheltered locations down to −10 °C (14 °F). It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
In the U.S. it may be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5–9, although a winter mulching for plants grown in zone 5 is recommended.[7]
Like most terrestrial orchids, it drops its leaves as it enters winter dormancy; however, it tolerates moisture during this period much better than most others. Nevertheless, it is encouraged to grow Bletilla striata in a well-draining, humus-rich mix.[8]
Uses edit
Bletilla striata is used in Asian traditional medicine for treating problems with the lining of the alimentary canal, e.g. ulcers.[9]
It is also used as a natural glue for making silk strings for traditional Chinese instruments like the guqin.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Bletilla striata". Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ Flora of China v 25 p 210, 白及 bai ji, Bletilla striata
- ^ Ōi, Jisaburō. Flora of Japan (English translation). The Smithsonian Institution, 1965
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
- ^ a b "MO Botanical Garden - Bletilla striata". Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "Phytesia - Bletilla". Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ Chunming Wang; Jiantao Sun; Yi Luo; Weihua Xue; Huajia Diao; Lei Dong; Jiangning Chen; Junfeng Zhang (2006). "A Polysaccharide Isolated from the Medicinal Herb Bletilla striata Induces Endothelial Cells Proliferation and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in vitro". Biotechnology Letters. 28 (8): 539–543. doi:10.1007/s10529-006-0011-x. PMID 16614890. S2CID 21034616.
- ^ Yu-Ku-Chai translation - Volume 3, Chapter 9: The Method for Making Strings http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~jrb/chin/v39/v39.htm
External links edit
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