How Are Chinese Orchids Classified? A Guide to the Variety Types of Chinese Orchids
Orchids of the genus Cymbidium in the family Orchidaceae are what we commonly call Chinese orchids, and they can be roughly divided into Chunlan (spring orchid), Huilan (Huilan orchid), Jianlan (Jianlan orchid), Molan (Molan orchid), Hanlan (Hanlan orchid), Chunjian (Chunjian orchid), and Lianban (Lianban orchid). Chunlan Cymbidium goeringii (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f. 1. Blooming period: February to March. 2. Inflorescence: 1-2, solitary or paired....
Orchids of the genus Cymbidium in the family Orchidaceae are what we commonly call Chinese orchids, and they can be roughly divided into Chunlan (spring orchid), Huilan (Huilan orchid), Jianlan (Jianlan orchid), Molan (Molan orchid), Hanlan (Hanlan orchid), Chunjian (Chunjian orchid), and Lianban (Lianban orchid).
Chunlan Cymbidium goeringii (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f.
1. Blooming period: February to March.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, solitary or paired.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 5-10 cm.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): longer than the ovary, membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 5-7 cm, 4-5 in total, semi-transparent, clasping the flower scape, lower part fused into a tube.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots gradually spread apart and no longer clasp tightly together - that is, "simao jiaozi" (thatch-foot type).
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 4-6 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: finely serrate.
9. Leaf stalk scar: relatively obvious.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 6-8 cm long, thinly leathery.
Huilan C. faberi Rolfe
1. Blooming period: April to May.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, a raceme, bearing 7-15 flowers.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 35-55 cm or taller.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): close to the ovary in length, membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 4-5 cm, 4-5 in total, clasping the flower scape, lower part fused into a tube.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots gradually spread apart and no longer clasp tightly together -- that is, "simao jiaozi" (thatch-foot type).
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 7-15 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: with obvious fine serrations, and very sharp, easily cutting the skin of the hand.
9. Leaf stalk scar: not obvious.
10. Other: leaves hard, the upper part somewhat curved and spreading, leaf surface relatively rough, parallel veins obvious.
Jianlan C. ensifolium (L.) Sw.
1. Blooming period: July to September.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, a raceme, bearing 3-9 flowers or more.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 25-40 cm or taller.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): markedly shorter than the ovary, and less than 1/2 of it, at 0.8-1.1 cm; membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 3-4 cm, 5-6 in total, clasping the flower scape, base not fused and thus not forming a tube.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots spread apart and do not clasp together.
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 2-4 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: entire.
9. Leaf stalk scar: relatively obvious.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 8-10 cm long, thinly leathery.
11. Other: leaves thinly leathery, relatively hard, upright and sturdy, the upper part extending slightly outward at an angle; leaves dark green, leaf surface flat, midrib prominent toward the back.
Molan C. sinense (Jacks. ex Andr.) Willd.
1. Blooming period: October to February of the following year.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, a raceme, bearing 6-18 flowers or more.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 40-60 cm or taller, level with the leaves or rising above the leaf surface.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): markedly shorter than the ovary, at 1.9-2.3 cm; membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 5.5-7 cm, 5-8 in total.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots gradually spread apart and no longer clasp tightly together -- that is, "simao jiaozi" (thatch-foot type).
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 3-5 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: entire, or serrate at the tip
9. Leaf stalk scar: distinguishable.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 10-11.5 cm long, thickly leathery.
Hanlan C. kanran Makino,
1. Blooming period: October to November.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, a raceme, bearing 6-18 flowers or more.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 40-60 cm or taller, level with the leaves or rising above the leaf surface.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): markedly shorter than the ovary, at 1.9-2.3 cm; membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 5.5-7 cm, 5-8 in total, clasping the flower scape, lower part fused into a tube, the fusion becoming shorter toward the top, with the uppermost one not fused.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots gradually spread apart and no longer clasp tightly together -- that is, "simao jiaozi" (thatch-foot type).
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 3-7 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: entire, or serrate at the tip.
9. Leaf stalk scar: distinguishable.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 10-11.5 cm long, thinly leathery.
11. Other: leaves thinly leathery, the upper part drooping and spreading; leaves dark green, leaf surface flat, glossy, midrib prominent toward the back.
Chunjian C. tortisepalum var.
1. Blooming period: February to March.
2. Inflorescence: 1-2, a raceme, bearing 2-5 flowers or more.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 17-35 cm.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): longer than the ovary, membranous and semi-transparent, clasping the ovary, base not fused.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): 5-7 cm, 5-6 in total, clasping the flower scape, lower part fused into a tube.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots still clasp tightly together into a clump -- that is, "bamao jiaozi" (silvergrass-foot type).
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 4-6 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: with very shallow fine serrations.
9. Leaf stalk scar: not obvious.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 9-15 cm long, thinly leathery, tightly wrapping the leaf clump.
11. Other: leaves hard, mostly sturdy and upright, just like a green sword.
Lianban orchid C. tortisepalum Fuk.
1. Blooming period: December to March.
2. Inflorescence: 2-4, a raceme, rarely 5 flowers, and when growth is poor only one flower opens.
3. Flower scape (flower spike): 16-20 cm.
4. Bracts (shell, bract sheath): bracts large, longer than the ovary plus stalk.
5. Scape sheaths (enclosing sheaths): about 4 cm, tip pointed.
6. Shoot (clump) form: leaf bases of mature shoots spread apart and do not clasp together.
7. Number of leaves per shoot (clump): 6-7 leaves.
8. Leaf margin: finely serrate.
9. Leaf stalk scar: not obvious.
10. Sheath-like leaves: 7-10 cm long, thinly leathery.
11. Other: leaves linear, leaf texture relatively hard, the blade growing diagonally upward for 5-6 cm and then gradually curving and drooping.
Identification of Orchids (Traditional Petal-Type Theory)
The outer three petals of an orchid are divided into: plum petal, narcissus petal, lotus petal, chrysanthemum petal, peony petal, bamboo-leaf petal, and butterfly petal, that is, outer butterfly.
The inner petals (column petals) of an orchid are divided into: soft silkworm-moth petal, hard silkworm-moth petal, Guanyin petal, bean-shell petal, mussel-shell petal, scissors petal, crab-claw petal, cat-ear petal, short round petal, palm-leaf-fan petal, xinkou petal, and inner butterfly, that is, inner butterfly. The silkworm-moth petal ranks as superior, the Guanyin petal is next, and all the rest are considered inferior grades.
The lip of an orchid is divided into: Liuhai lip, large round lip, Ruyi lip, large spreading lip, dragon-swallowing large lip, curled lip, notched lip, double lip, and multiple lip.
The column (nose) of an orchid: there is no systematic distinction, but generally it is required to be small, flat and spirited. The column tip of some orchids is deformed into a human-face shape, in which facial organs such as eyes and nose can be clearly distinguished, and people call them Buddha orchids. Every Buddha orchid is priceless.
Famous Chunlan Varieties
Plum petal type: Songmei, Jiyuan, Xishenmei, Yemei, Xiaodamei.
Lotus petal type: Dafugui, Huanqiu Heding, Luyun, Cuigaihe.
Narcissus petal: Longzi, Cuiyipin, Caixiansu, Yipin.
Rare flower type: Luyun, Yuhudie, Sixidie, Zhendie.
Variegated-leaf orchids: Junqi, Shoumenshan, Diguan, Xueshan.
Famous Huilan Varieties
Plum petal type: Chengmei, Shanghai Mei, Lao Jipin, Jiepei.
Lotus petal type: Huilan Hehua, Huihe, Ding Xiaohe, Zheng Xiaohe.
Narcissus petal: Da Yipin, Fengqiao, Guanding
Rare flower type: Shenzhou Suqi.
Variegated-leaf orchids: Hui'ai Shuijing.
Famous Jianlan Varieties
Plum petal type: Yipinmei, Wangzimei, Lumei.
Lotus petal type: Jinhe, Hehuasu, Sijihe.
Narcissus petal: Tiezui Shuixian.
Rare flower type: Fuxing Qidie, Siji Huaguangdie, Yuxue Tianxiang.
Variegated-leaf orchids: Jinqi, Jinsi Mawei, Caihong, Tiego Shuijing.
Famous Molan Varieties
Plum petal type: Jingui Mei, Minnan Damei.
Lotus petal type: Luyun.
Narcissus petal: Xianlan.
Rare flower type: Datun Qilin, Yu Shizi, Guoxiang Mudan, Fucui, Wenshan Qidie.
Variegated-leaf orchids: Hezhihua, Aiguo, Dashimen, Wandai Fu, Yanglao.
Famous Hanlan Varieties
Due to the influence of the traditional Chinese view of orchid appreciation, people selected and bred Hanlan varieties relatively late. Famous Chunjian Varieties
Xishu Daoguang, Yigan Su, Dahong Zhusha, Shui Zhusha.
Famous Lianban Varieties
Daxuesu, Xiaoxuesu, Cuiyuguan.
Chunjian and Lianban have relatively few traditional famous varieties, so only a few representative varieties are listed here. What is gratifying is that in recent years at orchid shows in various places, Chunjian and Lianban have repeatedly won the top prizes, and new varieties have emerged one after another.