Some more Coelogyne species
In August of 2015, we wrote an article on a couple of the warmer growing Coelogyne species, which are found in the Philippines, so it is high time we added a few more to the list. The difference with the species we have selected for this article is that these plants are all from higher elevations, so they will not grow successfully in the heat of the lowlands.
The genus Coelogyne was established by John Lindley in 1822, in his Collectanea Botanica. The type species for this popular, horticultural genus is Coelogyne
cristata, which is a native of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, northern India, and China. There are approximately 150 species in the genus and they are found throughout southeast Asia, to New Guinea, and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines has at least 27 species, and we suspect there are a few species still awaiting description. Coelogyne bilamellata is also found in Borneo. In the Philippines, it is known from the provinces of Laguna and Quezon on Luzon; the Visayan island of Leyte; and the provinces of Bukidnon, Cotabato, Surigao, and Zamboanga. This species is a member of section Longifoliae, which can be characterized by the long, flattened inflorescence, which bears many flowers over an extended period. The first author (JC) had a plant of this species, which remained in bloom for over two years, producing 59 flowers, and that was from just one inflorescence! There are two color forms of Coelogyne bilamellata, one which is pure white, with brown and yellow markings on the labellum, and another form where the flowers are pale brown.
Coelogyne candoonensis is only known from the provinces of Bukidnon and Misamis on Mindanao, where it grows as an epiphyte at elevations of above 1,500 meters. There is considerable variation in the coloration of the flowers. This species is also a member of section Longifoliae. Coelogyne longirachis (section Longifoliae) is a most spectacular species with its coppery-red flowers. It appears to be endemic (found in no other place) to the province of Bukidnon on Mindanao. The senior authors first encounter with this orchid, in its natural habitat, was with the students of Central Mindanao University, where earlier in the morning he had given a lecture. They then proceeded to the Cinchona Forest and went on a hike to a beautiful river, with a waterfall. It was on the way down to the river that they spotted this beautiful orchid growing in a tree. Fortunately, the flowers were hanging far enough down that pictures could be taken. Coelogyne longirachis is usually found at elevations of above 1,300 metres. Coelogyne remediosae (section Longifoliae) is only known from mid to high elevations in Quezon province on Luzon. Many years ago, JC was able to purchase a large plant of this species at one of the orchid shows held in Manila. The plant eventually made its way to Australia, where it grew very well but never flowered. Recently JC moved to a new home and of course, his orchid collection was brought along too. Imagine his amazement when he went to his green house and found the plant in bloom. Obviously, the change of conditions caused the plant to finally flower in cultivation. It is estimated that the plant was in JC’s collection for at least 15 years before it finally bloomed!
On an exploration trip through a mountain range in Bukidnon, the second author was able to count 6 different species from this marvelous genus, and plenty of plants all in all. But sadly, these kinds of findings will become rarer and rarer in the not too far future, due to deforestation alone.