Vanda sanderiana

Vanda sanderiana, commonly known as Waling-waling in the Philippines, is a species of orchid named after orchidologist Henry Frederick Conrad Sander. This orchid is revered as the "Queen of Philippine flowers" and holds a significant cultural status among the indigenous Bagobo people, who worship it as a diwata. Originally named by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach, Vanda sanderiana has two forms, pink and white (alba), and was later separated from the Euanthe genus by Rudolf Schlechter. Endemic to Mindanao in the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga, this orchid is typically found on dipterocarp trees at elevations below 500 meters. Due to over-collection, Vanda sanderiana is considered rare in its natural habitat. It is frequently used in hybridization and has shown the ability to bear flowers early when grown at high altitudes. Although there have been attempts to declare it as the national flower of the Philippines, these efforts have not been successful. This evergreen orchid species grows as a large-sized, tropical, hot-growing epiphyte. It has a monopodial growth habit, with new growth emerging from the central tip of an upright rhizome. The rhizome is covered in leaf-bearing sheaths, and strap-shaped leaves up to 50cm long angle out from the stem. A characteristic feature of Vanda sanderiana is its aerial root system at the base of the plant. The flowers, which are 8 to 12cm in diameter, are carried on long stems and usually appear in pairs. The inflorescences are shorter than the leaves and carry 7 to 10 densely arranged, fragrant flowers. The petals are slightly smaller than the sepals, with a rounded shape. The two lower sepals have a distinct dark, red tessellated pattern, while the dorsal sepal and petals are white or pale pink with dark brown-red spots. The small lip of the flower is three-lobed, with the two side lobes wider than those of other species. Vanda sanderiana is native to the Philippines, specifically the island of Mindanao, and is typically found in the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga. It primarily grows on tree trunks at elevations below 500 meters. Due to over-collection, this orchid is considered rare in its natural habitat. It is a large-sized, monopodial orchid with an elongate stem covered in imbricating sheathing bases. The leaves are distichous, curved, and ligulate, with unequal bilobed or truncate apical ends. The leaves are around 30-40 cm long, and the oldest leaves drop off after several years.