Vanda coerulea aka Blue Orchid

Vanda coerulea, also known as the blue orchid, blue vanda, or autumn lady's tresses, is a species of orchid native to Northeast India, with its range extending to southern Yunnan in China. In Manipuri, it is called kwaklei, and in Sanskrit, it is known as vandaar. This medium to large-sized evergreen, tropical, epiphytic orchid is highly valued for its unique flowers. The plant has strap-shaped, green or dark green leaves that emerge from the main stem, with new leaves replacing older ones as they fall off. The plant's impressive root system hangs downwards from the base and produces new roots following an upward growth pattern. Inflorescences, carrying 5-14 flowers each, emerge from the leaf sheaths and stem, and the plant can produce multiple inflorescences, sometimes with up to 50 flowers in total. The flowers, which come in three natural color variations - pale blue, pure white, and pale pink - are waxy and 10 cm wide, with a characteristic tessellation pattern on the sepals and petals. The petals are twisted at the base, giving the plant a resemblance to a butterfly. The Blue Vanda is found in Northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, and southwest China, growing high on the bark of little-leafed trees where they are exposed to full sun, rain, and wind. They thrive at altitudes ranging from 340 m in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to heights of 910-1520 m in other regions. Overall, Vanda coerulea is a stunning orchid species known for its long-lasting, bluish purple flowers and impressive growth habits.