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Bletilla striata
Also called Hyacinth Orchid, Urn Orchid, Bletilla, Hardy Orchid, Hyacinth Bletilla
Bletilla striata is a hardy terrestrial orchid with pleated leaves and clusters of magenta-pink flowers in spring. It is grown in the open garden in mild climates and needs well-drained, humus-rich soil with winter moisture tolerance.
Bletilla striata, known as hyacinth orchid or Chinese ground orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, native to Japan, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), and China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang). It is most commonly found growing in clumps alongside grassy slopes with sandy soil.
The Latin specific epithet striata means "striped", in reference to the ribbed leaves.
In cultivation in the UK it is hardy in sheltered locations down to −10 °C (14 °F). It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
In the U.S. it may be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5–9, although a winter mulching for plants grown in zone 5 is recommended.
Bletilla striata is used in Asian traditional medicine for problems with the lining of the alimentary canal, such as ulcers.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Bletilla striata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
