Phalaenopsis philippinensis ??? not sure

[Bcarpenter]

This is my first orchid i got this at a yard sale and nobody new what it was. I think it's a Phalenopsis phiippinensis but can anyone confirm this.

[Roberta]

I looked at a bunch of Phal. philippinensis photos in Orchidwiz, and the "whiskers" at the end of the lip seem to be more prominent than in your photo (though it could be angle) However, there are many, many white Phalaenopsis hybrids that look similar, I think it would be very difficult prove (or even suspect) that it was the species. Unless the person holding the yard sale was a serious orchid species grower (who no doubt would have labeled it, and probably not sold it at a yard sale), I think you have to assume NOID white Phalaonpsis hybrid. One with a really nice shape, so enjoy it!

[Ray]

I agree with Roberta.

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome to the OB! You have a lovely NoID Phalaenopsis. That's how I (and I suspect many others) got started with the orchid addiction. My first NoID blooms faithfully and is still one of my favorite orchids. I hope you'll stick around the board and add to your orchid collection as time goes by.

[Bcarpenter]

Ok, thanks y'all

[neophyte]

generally, a good way to tell whether a phal is a species is by its petals. actual Phalaenopsis species tend to have more pointed, elongated, or tapered petals compared to commercial hybrids. the mass-produced clones have been bred for generations to develop a more circular look (ie., the entire flower looks rounder) because customers find that more visually pleasing. for example, one of these images is a hybrid, while the other is P. philippinensis:

hybrid

species

of course, since this is just a general rule of thumb, it might not be true for certain species/hybrids (especially first-generation hybrids between two species), but it probably works most of the time.

[Bud]

The leaves of your Phal is plain green....Phalaenopsis philippinensis has mottled silver dark green leaves. It has an early morning fragrance that is very pleasing. I have this orchid plant:

Phalaenopsis philippinensis

[Bcarpenter]

Yes, great information you're right; the flowers are rounder and it doesn't have mottled leaves.

What interested me to this plant were its roots, very strange.

I think I might get a couple more

[Ray]

Within phalaenopsis species, it is all aspects of the lip that are diagnostic, not the petal shape.

Petal shape is generally not a very good tool as there can be a great deal of variation within a single species or hybrid, and growers have selectively bred for broader ones.

Here is Phalaenopsis bellina. One is pretty typical of those available in the wild, while the other is much broader.



Even more extreme is this example of Phal. amabilis. The one on the right is almost indistinguishable from many modern hybrids.