Habenaria is an exceptional genus of mostly terrestrial orchids that grow on all continents of the world except Antarctica. The genus is filled with a mix of large, bright-flowering species, bizarre and alien species, and tiny, weird flowers. Because of this immense variety, an assortment of Habenaria can result in a collection unlike any other in the world. With close to 900 species, one person could spend their entire life collecting them without ever getting bored!
In the past 10 years, the allure of this genus has vastly increased and their numbers in cultivation have significantly risen. This is not only because of an increase in the number of available species, but also greatly because of a rise in the number of commercially available hybrids. With more people growing them and more cultural information becoming available, their numbers will surely continue to grow.
THE RHODOCHEILA COMPLEX This is where nearly all the color comes from in every hybrid to date. The Rhodocheila complex is comprised of less than 10 species, all with bright flowers. The four most common in cultivation are Habenaria rhodocheila, Habenaria xanthocheila, Habenaria roebelenii and Habenaria erichmichelii. Unfortunately, they are found almost exclusively mislabeled or are hybrids sold as species due to misunderstanding or ignorance. Besides floral differences, many other differences exist between the species, such as tuber shape, fragrance, growth habit, bloom time and size. The first three also contain multiple, different color forms. Although I will not cover the differences in this article, each species has several unique traits and possesses different patterns of inheritance (Editor’s note: At present, these four species are considered by Plants of the World Online to be a single widespread and variable species. Although there are differences between them and their inheritance patterns are different, until a careful study of plants found in the wild across their entire range, as well as preserved herbarium specimens is conducted, these differences may be regional variations and not represent actual species delineation).
Another popular member of this group is Habenaria carnea, which not only has beautiful, full flowers, but also has outstanding, star-mottled foliage. This species is highly sought after for its gorgeous, dark purple–silver mottled foliage and subtle pink flowers. An alba form called Hab. carnea f. nivosa also exists.
This form has pure-white flowers and bright green–silver mottled foliage. Perhaps my favorite is Habenaria janellehayneana. This compact species has jaw-dropping pink flowers with long, elegant nectar spurs and a delicious, sweet fragrance to top it all off. This compact species can be found growing on the sides of rocks in and next to streams in Thailand. Habenaria janellehayneana hybrids tend to always have exceptional shape. unfortunately, it is still extremely rare in cultivation.
[1] Habenaria medusa ‘REO’. it is easy to see how this species became so popular. there is no other orchid in the world that looks like this.
[2] The four common members of the Habenaria rhodocheila complex. (a) Hab. rhodocheila, (b) Hab. xanthocheila, (c) Hab. roebelenii, (d) Hab. erichmichelii. The most common color form of each species is pictured.
[3] Habenaria carnea.
[4] The one and only Habenaria janellehayneana.
[5] Habenaria medioflexa. This is yet another member of the amazing Section Medusaeformis.
[6] Habenaria parageniculata (syn. Hab. dentata var. parageniculata).
[7] Habenaria trichosantha ‘Astrocyte’ CHM/AOS.
[8] Habenaria macroceratitis ‘Kimchi Spider’ CBR/AOS.
[9] Habenaria repens.
[10] Habenaria chlorina ‘Fluoroglow’ CBR/AOS.
[11] Habenaria floribunda (syn. Hab. odontopetala).
[12] Habenaria aitchisonii. What a funky one! Although not technically a jewel orchid, it sure makes a good contender (inset). WOW!
SECTION MEDUSAEFORMIS
Although one of the smallest sections, Section Medusaeformis is potentially the most well known, because of a single species: Habenaria medusa. This species seldom needs an introduction, since its flowers speak for themselves. It is easy to see how this species became so popular. There are no other orchids in the world that look like this! It is a large-growing, densely flowered species that requires bright light, like cattleyas. It has a much smaller, but otherwise identical cousin known as Habenaria myriotricha, but I personally do not consider it a different species.
Another species that is just as spectacular is Habenaria medioflexa. The flowers have what I call “feather fringing,” fringed edges that flutter in the wind like the lips of many Bulbophyllum. As a more recent introduction into cultivation in the united States, it is just beginning its journey into hybridization.
[14] A collection of Section rhodocheila hybrids: (a) Hab. Memoria James Scott Williams (Kakoeri × Raingreen’s Pink Paw), (b) Hab. Yellow Warbler (Tanager × xanthocheila), (c) Hab. Galah (carnea × janellehayneana), (d) Hab. Autunno (Trogon × Tanager), (e) Hab. Pink Sapphire (Tracey × Spoonbill), (f) Hab. Vermilion Flycatcher (Summer Tanager × Hampson).
SECTION MACROCERATITIS
We move from one of the smallest sections to one of the largest and most variable sections: Section Macroceratitis. It not only contains a huge variety of large-growing, white-flowered species, but also manages to stretch itself over almost the entire earth. Several species that are closely related, such as Habenaria dentata, Habenaria malintana, Habenaria parageniculata, Habenaria trichosantha and many others, grow all over Asia. Most of these species are outstanding but are also apomictic, meaning they create cloned seeds, and therefore, can be difficult to hybridize. Habenaria parageniculata (syn. dentata) is an uncommon species from Asia with massive tubers, thick leathery leaves and a short, but extremely dense inflorescence (all dissimilar to Hab. dentata). When in bloom, it looks like a torch standing above the shorter plants growing around it. Regardless, there is a massive amount of hybridization potential within this group. I mean, just look at Hab. trichosantha — my personal favorite and another Asian species. There is nothing quite like its large size and highly filamentous flowers. It is also new to culture and hybridization, but what we are seeing already are some of the most incredible Habenaria hybrids ever made.
Flying across the world to the Americas, one will find ever more bizarre members of Section Macroceratitis. The type species, Habenaria macroceratitis, described by Carl Ludwig Willdenow in 1805, started the search for the around 900 accepted species described since the initial discovery of this species. Habenaria macroceratitis can be found growing in Florida, and its smaller cousin, Habenaria quinquesota, is more widespread throughout the southeastern united States. Both species emit a delightful fragrance at night.
In South America, there are many brilliant and odd members, such as Habenaria bractescens, Habenaria longicauda, Habenaria gourlieana and several more. Most of these are not in cultivation within the united States, but some breeding is occurring in South America!
The most bizarre and extraordinary members of this section grow in the Himalayas but are much more challenging to cultivate and seldom appear for sale. A handful even grow in Australia but are also nearly nonexistent in cultivation.
[15] Habenaria Sunrise Plumes ‘REO’ AM/ AOS (roebelenii × medusa).
OTHER SECTIONS
Section Seticauda and Section Leptoceras are two more medium–large sections with mostly small-flowered, green–white species ranging from Asia through the Americas. A true bog orchid, which benefits from constant moisture, Habenaria repens (Section Leptoceras) grows in the southern united States throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. Known as the water-spider orchid, it is a minute species with small flowers that emit a sweet fragrance at night. It does not produce any tubers, but instead has a thick rhizome-like structure that persists, similar to the related genus, Platanthera.
Another native of the united States is Habenaria floribunda (Section Seticauda), which can be found in the Southeast as a large species with tiny, green flowers that produce a powerful, sweet musky fragrance at night and can quickly form large colonies with thousands of fragrant flowers.
[16] A collection of Section Medusaeformis hybrids. (a) Hab. Bird of Paradise ‘Scorpio’ HCC/AOS (Conure × medusa), (b) Hab. Mammillothala (Pinkie × medioflexa), (c) Hab. Foligno ‘Oxide’ (Regnieri × medusa).
Other sections such as Sections Chlorinae and Diphyllae exist primarily in Asia and Africa. Section Chlorinae contains a few species such as Habenaria chlorina and Habenaria arenaria. Habenaria chlorina is an extremely cool, small-growing Asian species with brightly electric, yellow–green flowers. The species is just cool. It never grows larger than about 18 inches (45.7 cm), but the bright-colored flowers just scream, “Look at me!” Hybrids of this species are also very bizarre because it seems to be extremely dominant in many of its traits. Habenaria arenaria is an interesting African species with delightful, mottled foliage.
Section Diphyllae is another huge section that contains the true miniatures of the genus. Habenaria aitchisonii is a high-elevation, Himalayan species with gorgeous, jewel-mottled foliage and small flowers with an odd nighttime fragrance. Habenaria porphyricola has a rosette of silver leaves that are barely larger than a US quarter and has unique but delightful little flowers. There is something really special about the miniature Habenaria species. They are so elegant and enchanting but are seldom cultivated. I hope to see more in cultivation and see what new hybrids they can create, as none exist yet!
[17] A collection of Hab. chlorina hybrids. (a) Hab. Pixie (chlorina × roebelenii), (b) Hab. Lady Godda (Regnieri × chlorina). These are neat!
HYBRIDS
Species are always fantastic, but hybrids allow us to push the limits of botany. Hybrids of the Rhodocheila complex are always nice, resulting in a wonderful mix of countless different colors. Mixing groups such as the Rhodocheila complex and Section Medusaeformis results in some truly amazing, fringed hybrids. Habenaria medusa often washes out the color of its hybrids, but that is not the case in the cultivar Habenaria Sunrise Plumes ‘REO’ AM/AOS (× roebelenii).
When mixing the fringing of Sections Medusaeformis and Macroceratitis, you get spectacular results. Habenaria Arbor Vitae ‘REO’ AM/AOS (front cover) is the magic of a Hab. trichosantha hybrid — large size, large, flat flowers and extreme fringe. It is hard to imagine something better than this. On the other hand, bringing the smaller species, such as Hab. chlorina, into the mix results in something totally different, yet pleasant. The dominance of Hab. chlorina is fascinating. Complex hybrids such as Habenaria Lady Godda (Regnieri × chlorina) reveal some interesting things, as about one in 64 plants bloom with larger and broader, pink flowers. With close to 900 species, the pathways to pursue with these hybrids are nearly endless!
[18] Stages of Habenaria dormancy. (1) Flowers fade. A slight reduction of water is all that should be done. (2) Leaves begin to yellow — STOP WATERING. (3) Leaves begin to brown. (4) entire plant is brown but still malleable. (5) Foliage is brown and crispy. The plant should pull up from the soil with little effort; time to unpot and store the tubers!
HOW TO GROW HABENARIA
Habenaria have a reputation of being extremely difficult to grow, but that is very untrue! Besides a dormancy period that does require some specific care, they are relatively easy. When actively growing, they need to stay damp constantly, so growing them in a shallow saucer with some water may be beneficial to those who forget to water often. They benefit from a well-draining soil mix such as Promix-HP with perlite, charcoal or fine orchid bark added. They are not finicky about humidity, but do greatly benefit from good air movement, because their thin leaves are prone to fungal and bacterial spots. Most of the smaller species, such as those of the Rhodocheila complex and their hybrids, need low–medium light, so a bright windowsill where Phalaenopsis would thrive is perfect. Larger species from Section Macroceratitis or Section Medusaeformis need more light, similar to that for cattleyas.
Usually around November (shortly after the flowers fade), the entire plant will begin to look sad. The inflorescence and floral bracts will turn yellow, followed shortly by the leaves. Do not worry, this is natural and is the beginning of dormancy! As soon as the leaves start to turn yellow, stop watering. Once the foliage is brown and crispy, dormancy has begun. There are two ways to handle dormancy that make the entire process trivial. First, just keep the tuber in the pot. Place the entire pot in a warm, humid location and leave it there until it begins to sprout in the spring. The second, and my favorite, is the bag method. Remove the tuber from the pot and place it in a sealed plastic bag with a small amount of dry medium. Next, forget you even have the plant until February or March, when it sprouts. Then pot it up again so that the tip of the tuber is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface. Wait until the first rosette has formed (three leaves), then begin watering again. Now you are growing habenarias!
[19] Habenaria tubers. Yes, we can make fun of how they look for hours.
[20] When to start watering when the plants begin to grow again around February–March. Begin watering again once the first full rosette (three leaves) has opened.
[21] Habenaria crinifera.
[22] Habenaria rostrata. The pink coloration of these flowers tends to be very difficult to capture in pictures.
[23] Habenaria austrosinensis. The flowers lightly jiggle as air passes over them due to the delicate way they are suspended by the pedicel.
[24] Hab. Trishula (Pink Butterfly × dentata), one of the newest of very few Hab. dentata hybrids.
[25–27] A collection of Hab. crinifera hybrids.
(25) Hab. Genu (Regnieri × crinifera),
(26) Hab. Pituitary (Raingreen’s Pink Paw × crinifera).
(27) Hab. Goldfinch (Tanager × crinifera).
— Nicholas is a relatively new grower and hybridizer. His orchid passion began in 2015 when a mini Phalaenopsis was gifted to him. Like a flame to gasoline, this gift quickly pulled him into the diverse world of orchids. He began exploring the unseen world of terrestrial orchids, such as Habenaria, and now specializes in them, Australian terrestrial orchids, jewel orchids and Catasetinae. His experience in a research lab focusing on neuroscience and glycobiology led him to approach his orchids with the same scientific perspective he used while working in the lab. This led to an interest in the entire growth cycle of orchids and, in 2018, to the start of his hybridization program, which focuses mostly on terrestrial orchids, especially Habenaria. In 2019, this obsession bloomed into a small orchid and exotic plant nursery, RustyExotics, which he uses to share the wonders and beauty of his work (email: rustyexotics@gmail.com).
