Jardinerong Sunog (the Burnt Gardener)

Currently in bloom at the plant junkyard is this Erythrodes wenzelii which, despite its plain green leaves, is a member of subtribe Goodyerinae tribe Cranichidae - the tribe where the jewel orchids belong. While the 'jewel orchid' designation has also been used for totally unrelated plants particularly Crepidium (subtribe Malaxidinae tribe Malaxideae thus related to Liparis ), it perhaps should be kept in mind that since the original application was for the members of the cranichids- think of Ludisia and Macodes , among others- then it follows that only those from that tribe deserves recognition as 'jewel orchids.' Or does it? Because like in the case of our plant here, it can hardly be called a 'jewel orchid' due to the unadorned foliage. In fact, many members of the cranichids have non-descript leaves. One can argue that any terrestrial orchid with flashy leaves can be a jewel orchid. However, once we try to be politically correct then it's a can of w...

Now I must admit that I was in this same exact spot about two weeks ago and did not notice these plants. And I'm pretty sure that it's because about two weeks ago, the plants were just beginning to form their capitate (head-like) inflorescences. The white flowers made the difference. And you would be forgiven if you think that these are just some obscure 'weed' but it's actually an orchid. I know, I know. These do not look like they are orchids at all, but they are. When I first saw one, I thought I was looking at a Tropidia , another orchid that doesn't look like an orchid. Nevertheless, this is a species of Vrydagzynea , which belongs to the group commonly called the 'jewel orchids' for their shimmering, patterned leaves. Three species are known from the Philippines, but these plants differed mostly by their lance-shaped leaves and more contracted inflorescences. In fact, it is most similar to a species known from outside the archipelago, V. la...

November 10, 2007- While admiring a population of Crepidium bancanoides on the forest floor in a national park in eastern Luzon, I heard one of my companions, Ernie Alvaran, summoning me. " Ludisia !" he yelled. When he said the word I knew we're onto something. Merlin Sy, another companion, found more plants. During this time, the genus Ludisia was monotypic, or consisting of only one species, L. discolor . The species is widespread and occurs from India eastwards to Indochina and southwards to Indonesia. There is a record from Palawan but it seems that no one has found the plants since. So if what Ernie found was L. discolor , then that would be the first record of this species occurring on Luzon. While taking photos of some of the plants, which were sterile, Ernie told me that earlier that month he saw and bought a few plants that were said to have come from central Luzon, bearing the same small leaves of the plants before us. At that moment I was thinking of ...