How to distinguish Jianlan (Sijilan, Cymbidium ensifolium) from Chunlan (Cymbidium goeringii) when they are not in bloom
(1) Sijilan has only a few small serrations at the leaf tip, while Chunlan has very obvious serrations along the leaf margins. (2) Sijilan's leaves are wider than Chunlan's, while Chunlan's leaves are harder and rougher than Sijilan's. (3) Sijilan's pseudobulbs are larger than Chunlan's; Chunlan's are smaller. (4) Sijilan...
(1) Sijilan has only a few small serrations at the leaf tip, while Chunlan has very obvious serrations along the leaf margins.
(2) Sijilan's leaves are wider than Chunlan's, while Chunlan's leaves are harder and rougher than Sijilan's.
(3) Sijilan's pseudobulbs are larger than Chunlan's; Chunlan's are smaller.
(4) Sijilan's leaf sheaths have a relatively thick, large girth and red streaks; Chunlan's leaf sheaths have a relatively slender, round girth and rarely have red streaks.
(5) Sijilan has fewer leaves, and even vigorous seedlings have fewer than five leaves, while Chunlan has more leaves, with vigorous seedlings generally reaching five leaves or more.