Introduction to the Yunnan Lijiang Xingdie Cymbidium lianpan Variety
Number: Orchid No. 0220 Name: Lijiang Xingdie (Cymbidium lianpan) Latin name: Cymbidium lianpan cv. Li Jiang Xing Die Namer: Sang Zengguang, Yang Zhenhua Registrant: Shen Yaoxing, Sang Zengguang (Lijiang Yaoxing Orchid Garden) Registration date: May 23, 2006 Expert comments: This variety was selected from the Cymbidium lianpan of the Three Parallel Rivers region in northwest Yunnan...
Number: Orchid No. 0220
Name: Lijiang Xingdie (Cymbidium lianpan)
Latin name: Cymbidium lianpan cv. Li Jiang Xing Die
Namer: Sang Zengguang, Yang Zhenhua
Registrant: Shen Yaoxing, Sang Zengguang (Lijiang Yaoxing Orchid Garden)
Registration date: May 23, 2006
Expert comments: This variety was selected from Cymbidium lianpan in the Three Parallel Rivers region of northwest Yunnan. The petals are fully transformed into a butterfly form, upright, with obliquely extending cat-ear petals showing purple-red patches; it is a very typical Three-Star Butterfly. It has high ornamental value and stable traits, and registration is approved.
Three-Star Butterfly, plant height 30-45 cm, leaf width 0.6-1 cm, flowers held above the leaves, with 2-3 flowers per scape. The three outer petals form a standard flower, while the petals and lip are transformed into a butterfly form; the red patches on the petals are bright and striking, and the flower form is dignified.
Collected in 1998 within the Jinsha River basin at the border between Yunnan and Tibet, at the boundary between Lijiang County and Weixi County in western Yunnan. There were 8 growths plus one old growth; after cultivation by a mountain villager and reblooming, they were taken to the Old Town of Lijiang for sale the following year, and were jointly purchased by Lijiang orchid growers Mr. Yang Zhenhua and Mr. Xiao Yun for 2,000 yuan per growth. Another account says it was discovered around 1995 at an elevation of 2,800 m in the fir forest zone halfway up Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang. It has won the Gold Award at the 11th China (Guiyang) Orchid Expo, the Gold Award at the 2nd Yunnan (Yuxi) Orchid Expo, and others.