Papilionathe teres

Papilionanthe teres
A tall, sun‑loving, terete‑leaf Vanda‑type orchid widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most iconic species in the genus Papilionanthe.

Occurs from Nepal, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, southern China, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Native range extends from Nepal to Yunnan to Indo‑China

Grows in wet tropical biomes, often in full sun at 250–850 m elevation

This is a hot‑growing epiphyte with a scrambling, monopodial habit.Growth Form
Giant‑sized, terete‑leafed, vandaceous orchid

Very long, branching stems

Leaves are cylindrical (terete), stiff, and adapted to strong light

Roots emerge along the stem and are phototropic (grow toward light)
Typically, 3–6 flowers per spike
Blooming: any time of year, but most often late spring to early summer