Parrot Flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Parrot Flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vanda teres
• Vanda teres var. candida
• Dendrobium teres
• Papilionanthe teres f. candida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Papilionanthe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. In China, it is specifically found within the South-Central territories. Its range extends into Eastern Asia, where it is documented in Taiwan. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is located in Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Additionally, it can be found growing in the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Papilionanthe teres is characterized by a broad vertical distribution across diverse mountainous landscapes, thriving within a significant altitudinal gradient. This species inhabits environments ranging from lower montane zones up to high-altitude tropical regions, specifically occupying an elevational range that begins at 200 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. This wide span suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to adapt to varying climatic conditions, temperature fluctuations, and moisture levels found between lowland tropical settings and cooler, mid-to-high elevation cloud forests or montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Papilionanthe teres is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species exhibits a chamaephyte life form, which indicates that its regenerative buds are located close to the soil surface, allowing it to withstand various environmental stressors. This classification is consistent across its life form designations, identifying it specifically as a chamaephyte, a trait that dictates its low-growing stature and its ability to recover from seasonal fluctuations by protecting its vital growth points near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Papilionanthe teres is characterized by its distinct growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber, relying on external structures for support. While it exhibits a terrestrial existence across various habitats, its ecological niche is defined by its obligatory epiphytic nature, allowing it to thrive on other plants. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional processes while navigating its environment through its climbing habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Papilionanthe teres has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product communications

Activities

Papilionanthe teres has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product communications