Calanthe tankervilleae

Swamp orchid
Calanthe tankervilleae growing on Lanai
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Calanthe
Species:
C. tankervilleae
Binomial name
Calanthe tankervilleae
Synonyms
  • Bletia tankervilleae (Banks) R.Br.
  • Limodorum incarvillei Pers. nom. superfl.
  • Limodorum tankervilleae Banks
  • Phaius incarvillei Kuntze nom. superfl.
  • Phaius tankervilleae (Banks) Blume

Calanthe tankervilleae, commonly known as the greater swamp-orchid, swamp lily, swamp orchid, nun's-hood orchid, nun's orchid, veiled orchid, Lady Tankerville's swamp orchid or 鹤顶兰 (he ding lan), is a species of orchid native to areas from Asia to islands in the Pacific Ocean. It has large, pleated leaves and tall flowering stems bearing up to twenty five white, brown, mauve and yellow flowers. It was named for Lady Tankerville who was the first person to make the orchid flower successfully in England. It was the first tropical orchid to flower in England.