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What Is the Difference Between Chunlan and Huilan? A Quick Guide to Telling the Two Orchids Apart

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Many people love orchids, but most do not know that there are actually several kinds of orchids, and each one has its own differences. Take Chunlan (Cymbidium goeringii) and Huilan (Cymbidium faberi), for example: these two are very different. First, in the leaf stalk ring; second, in the number of leaves; third, in the leaf veins, which differ greatly; and finally, in the flowers, which are also very different.

Leaf Stalk Ring

The leaf stalk ring is one point that sets them apart, and it is a very obvious one. Chunlan actually has this feature, while Huilan has none at all.

Leaf Count

The number of leaves also differs greatly. The former has rather rough leaves that are wide and long, while the latter is smoother and narrower and shorter than the former. Chunlan has only about four or five leaves, while Huilan has more, with a minimum of seven and a maximum of fifteen.

Leaf Veins

Huilan's leaf veins are actually quite distinctive. If you hold it up to the light, you can see that it has very dense veins that are also transparent, about seven to nine in number. The underside of Huilan's leaves, meanwhile, has raised ridges, and if held up to the light these ridges appear semi-transparent.

Flowers

Chunlan has relatively few flowers, usually just one flower per scape, and two at most. Huilan's number is much greater: generally a single scape carries many flowers, roughly between six and twelve. Overall, this is the orchid with the greatest flower count, though of course this refers to orchids in China, not all flowers, and its flower stalk is relatively thick.

As for blooming time, the former generally blooms in February and March, while the latter blooms from March to May. In short, there are still many differences between them, so if you want to identify them carefully, you certainly can.

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