Arachnis
(pronounced: ah-RACK-niss)
Classification
Vandeae subtribe Aeridinae
Overview
Large climbing, vining, monopodial epiphytes rooting along the stems. Leaves alternate, distichous, oblong, leathery, basally clasping the stem. Inflorescences short to elongate lateral racemes or panicles. Flowers few to many, showy, fleshy-rigid, usually fragrant. Sepals and petals subequal, free, the dorsal sepal stiffly erect, usually with revolute lateral margins, the petals and lateral sepals often falcate. Lip three-lobed, fleshy, hinged to a fleshy column foot, with a short broad spur, with a central fleshy callus. Column lightly arching, stout; pollinia 4, in 2 unequal pairs, on a stipe and viscidium.
Etymology
From the Greek arachne, meaning spider, in allusion to the flowers resemblance to spiders.
Distribution
A genus of 13 species distributed from Indochina to New Guinea. Common name: Scorpion Orchid.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Grow plants of Arachnis in baskets or pots in a coarse potting mixture or without any potting medium at the roots. They may also be grown in ground beds provided that upright support is given. Provide warm temperatures, full sunlight, and frequent (daily) watering. Arachnis are heavy feeders and will benefit from frequent applications of fertilizer.
Literature
Holttum, R. E. 1949. The Malayan Scorpion orchids (genus Arachnis). Malayan Nat. J. 4(2):85-92. Lamb, A. 1982. The scorpion orchids of Sabah. Orchid Digest 46(5):175-186. Smith, J. J. 1912. Arachnis Bl. und Vandopsis Pfitz. Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned. Ind. 72:71-78. Tan, K. 1975. Taxonomy of Arachnis, Armodorum, Esmeralda and Dimorphorchis (Orchidaceae). Selbyana 1:1-15.
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