The flower language of the white orchid (Michelia alba) symbolizes pure love.
The white orchid (Michelia alba) originates from Java, Indonesia, and is now widely cultivated in Southeast Asia. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan are among the provinces and regions where it is widely cultivated within China, while in the Yangtze River basin and other provinces and regions it is often grown in pots. The white orchid is an evergreen tree of the genus Michelia in the magnolia family, also known as "bai mian hua" and "mian gui hua", among other names.
Morphological characteristics
The white orchid can grow up to about 17 m tall, while potted specimens are generally 3-4 m tall. Its spreading branches give the crown a broad, umbrella-like shape; the bark is gray; the young twigs and buds bear fine pale-yellow or white downy hairs that gradually fall off as they grow. The leaves are thin and glossy, leathery, elliptical, and mainly green.
The flowers are white or pale yellow with a rich fragrance; the petals are rather thick and fleshy, roughly long-lanceolate in shape.
Growth habits
It likes ample light, and a well-ventilated, humid and warm environment is most favorable for the growth of the white orchid; the soil is best chosen as a fertile, loose, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
High temperatures and strong light easily have an adverse effect on the growth of the white orchid, and its cold tolerance is also poor; waterlogging and typhoons can cause varying degrees of harm to it; in addition, it is averse to smoke gases (sulfur dioxide, chlorine, etc.), and its overall resistance is not strong.
Value and uses
Ornamental value: as an ornamental flower, the white orchid plant is upright and tall, with neat and attractive branching. In the south it is generally grown in courtyards and is very widely used in landscaping. In the north it is grown in pots and placed in home courtyards, halls and meeting rooms as decoration; small and medium-sized plants can also be placed in living rooms and studies.
Other values: scenting flower tea and making fragrances are both very practical uses of the white orchid. The white orchid itself has a rich fragrance, and the tea brewed from it is also mellow and aromatic, with a fresh, bright color and good appearance and taste. Because the white orchid contains aromatic volatile oils, bactericides and antioxidants, the fragrances made from it have a unique effect on beautifying the environment, purifying the air and scenting the home; the essential oil extracted from it can also play a considerable role in beauty care, food and medicine.
Flower language
The flower language of the white orchid is "pure and flawless love and utterly sincere affection".