Natural Hybrid - Phalaenopsis sanderiana x amabilis, Philippine Orchids

[PhilsDC]

I found this plant in my adventure way to people selling indigenous plants.
I'd like to buy this one but the owner refuses because it is different from her other Mariposa or Phalaenopsis orchids because it is similar to Phalaenopsis amabilis var. Grandiflora.

The lip and shape of the petals is Phalaenopsis amabilis.
The flower color and leaves is Phalaenopsis sanderiana.

I just found out the cross of the 2 species in the web, Phalaenopsis "Yoshino" but quite different from what I have taken.

[delphiguy]

Very beautiful Derek.... love to get one myself.

[gavstang]

Very nice!

[PhilsDC]

Wish I could purchased this one by the hesitant owner who has plenty of Phalaenopsis sanderiana.

[zainal abidin]

Nice....

[catttan]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

It is a beauty. Hope you get one!

Cheers,
BD

[mazlani]

What a beauty. Interesting cross. Thanks, Derek.

[PhilsDC]

Thank you.

Maybe next week, I'll be with my friend in his farm with his wild Philippine orchids and others.
And looking for new plants to buy.

[mr. suarez]

How could I have missed this one??

Derek, Phalaenopsis amabilis var. grandiflora is a synonym of P. amabilis- that name is now obsolete. The varietal name 'grandiflora' was made at a time when the differences between P. amabilis and P. aphrodite weren't clear-cut.

Nevertheless, the flower is absolutely and 100% Phalaenopsis sanderiana. The labellum of P. amabilis is extremely narrow and very much not like the one on the photo; furthermore I can tell from the shape of the callus that this is classic P. sanderiana.

Apart from that, do consider the geographic distribution of both species: P. amabilis in the Philippines is found on Palawan and satellite islands, as well as in the Sulu archipelago. Phalaenopsis sanderiana on the other hand, is found on the Mindanao mainland. There is absolutely no way the two could hybridize naturally because they do not share the same habitat.