Knowing Orchids Seriatim

# d. Pleione praecox (Smith) D. Don

Habit: Herbaceous (forest epiphyte)

Family: Orchidaceae

Distribution: Uttar Pradesh to South West China through Nepal Himalayas

Altitudinal range: 1800 – 2500 m average sea level

Habitat: Subtropical to temperate zones; growing on rocks and steep mossy banks

Flowering: October - November

Reference(s): (Polunin & Stainton 1984)*

Photo: on the way to Curriee – Kalinchowk, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Central Nepal; taken while growing on Quercus semicarpifolia (Oak) tree trunk.

*Polunin, O. & Stainton, A. (1984) Flowers of the Himalaya. U.K.: Oxford University Press.