ORCHIDS OF SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka is home to an astonishing 170 species of orchids, 74 of them found nowhere else in the world. Many of these orchids are on display at the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens in Kandy and also at the Hakgala Botanic Garden in Newara Eliya, home to the largest orchid in the world,

‘Grammatophyllum speciosum’, whose racemes can grow to a length of 3m.

The species Vanda tessellata (grey orchid), Phalaenopsis, Arachnanthe, Calanthe, Dendrobium, Coelogyne, Stanhopea, Oncidium can also be admired at these gardens, which form part of the itinerary for the optional ‘extra week’ tours arranged by Paint Sri Lanka.

Wild orchids can be found in the deep shade and humidity of the forest floor at the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve. Anoectochilus setaceous (the jewel orchid), Rynchostylis retusa (foxtail orchid) and the rare Acanthepippium bicolour (pitcher orchid) are among the species found in this wet zone.

Orchid cultivation became popular during colonial times, and certain species are still valued for their medicinal properties and are used in Ayurvedic treatments.