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Macodes sanderiana (Kraenzl.) Rolfe is a species of South East Asian jewel orchid mostly recorded from New Guinea but is also found in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This species has a long history of cultivation in Europe since the early 20th century and is prized for its ornamental leaves which are the largest in its genus. The leaves are dark green, the upper surface covered in an intricate network of veins in colors ranging from bright green to copper. In contrast, flowers are small and pallid so are often removed in cultivation. In nature, M. sanderiana grows in rainforests on the forest floor or lithophytically out of rock crevices. This species survives at a broad range of altitudes from close to sea-level, up to the lower boundary of the cloud forest. Exudates from the leaves of this orchid are traditionally used in New Guinea as eye drops for the treatment of myopia. M.
Macodes species including Sander's orchid are cultivated for their attractive prominently-veined leaves more so than for their flowers. In 1918, at least three species of Macodes (all native to Malaysia) including M. sanderiana were cultivated in Europe. Despite their initial popularity, by the late 20th century they were rarely seen in collections. Since then, there has been a resurgence in the cultivation of both M. sanderiana and M. petola both of which are now common, especially in smaller private collections. Sander’s orchid requires similar environmental conditions to other terrestrial jewel orchids such as Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. and Macodes petola. These species prefer warm conditions and high humidity and can survive in lower light than most other orchids. To provide this environment outside of the tropics they are often grown in terrariums. As the species is terrestrial (unlike most tropical orchids) it can be grown in soil. Many collectors, however, grow this species in shallow dishes of coarse sphagnum moss.
Macodes sanderiana grows from close to sea-level in low elevation rain forests up to altitudes of at least 800 meters at the lower boundary of the cloud forest. This orchid can grow on a range of substrates which occur through its range. Sander’s orchid is most commonly grown on humus covered rocks near streams and from between rocks in areas where topsoil is almost entirely absent. Despite this orchid usually being described as terrestrial, it is known to grow as a lithophyte in minute crevices in karst cliff faces. Two unspecified species of New Guinean Macodes are even known to grow on trees (possibly Macodes petola or M. sanderiana). As well as growing on substrates with good drainage they also are known to grow in clay soils that never dry out. Sander's orchids are often found growing within moss layers on the forest floor and are known to co-occur with the pacific lychee tree Pometia pinnata. In New Guinea, M. sanderiana flowers annually in July, with each stem producing a maximum of one flower spike.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Macodes sanderiana by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
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.
