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Orchidaceae
Calanthe Orchid
Calanthe discolor
quiet elegance.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Calanthe
- Native to
- Japan, China, Korea
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 0.5-1.5 ft
- Sunlight
- shade to part shade
- Soil
- moist, humus-rich, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 6-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Calanthe was one of the first orchids to be hybridized in cultivation — the first Calanthe hybrid was created in England in 1856, launching the ornamental orchid hybridization movement.
- Unlike most temperate orchids, Calanthe discolor is reliably cold-hardy in gardens down to zone 6, making it invaluable for woodland garden plantings.
- The name Calanthe comes from Greek kalos (beautiful) and anthos (flower) — 'beautiful flower' — a straightforward tribute to its elegance.
- In Japan it is called 'Ebiraneha' and appears in classical paintings, poetry, and ikebana floral arrangements since at least the Edo period.
- It grows terrestrially in moist forest floors where it forms symbiotic relationships with specific soil fungi essential for its seed germination and root nutrient uptake.
Color meanings
0
quiet elegance
1
cultural refinement
2
endurance