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(Cymbidium ensifolium)
Four-Season Orchid (Cymbidium ensifolium)
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Siddarth Machado
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Siddarth Machado
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Siddarth Machado | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Siddarth Machado | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2014-02-11T16:02:50-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 6" - 163" | 30" | Your precipitation may be insufficient for this plant. Irrigate N" / year. | Irrigate N" / year |
| • High Temp. | 60°F - 98°F | 85°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | 6°F - 67°F | 2°F | Your winter temperatures may be too cold for this plant | Too cold |
This plant should grow well at your location with about N inches per year (Y minutes per month) of irrigation.
Summary
Cymbidium ensifolium, commonly known as the Four-Season Orchid or Golden-Thread Orchid, is an evergreen perennial herb native to subtropical and tropical forest margins, grassy slopes, and open rocky areas of East Asia, particularly in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. It typically grows 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and wide, with long, strap-shaped leaves and arching flower spikes. The plant produces small to medium-sized, waxy, and fragrant flowers that can range in color from green to yellow, often with a contrasting red or maroon lip. The flowering season spans from late summer to winter, and the blooms are highly regarded for their beauty and longevity.
The Four-Season Orchid is celebrated for its year-round flowering potential and its resilience as a cultivated orchid. It is a popular choice for indoor cultivation and in temperate orchid collections, often grown in pots or baskets with well-draining orchid media. It requires consistent moisture but must not be waterlogged, and it thrives in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate a range of temperatures, it prefers intermediate to warm conditions. In addition to its horticultural appeal, Cymbidium ensifolium has cultural significance in East Asia, where it is associated with nobility and elegance.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Four-Season Orchid is celebrated for its year-round flowering potential and its resilience as a cultivated orchid. It is a popular choice for indoor cultivation and in temperate orchid collections, often grown in pots or baskets with well-draining orchid media. It requires consistent moisture but must not be waterlogged, and it thrives in bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate a range of temperatures, it prefers intermediate to warm conditions. In addition to its horticultural appeal, Cymbidium ensifolium has cultural significance in East Asia, where it is associated with nobility and elegance.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Bulb, Herb
- Height: 0.6-2 feet
- Width: 0.3-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Brown, Green
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Potted Plant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
native to subtropical and tropical forest margins, grassy slopes, and open rocky areas of East Asia, particularly in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand
Other Names
Common Names: Subtropical Boat Orchid, Chien Lan, Sword-leaved Cymbidium
Scientific Names: Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium albomarginatum, Cymbidium arrogans, Cymbidium ensifolium f. arcuatum, Cymbidium ensifolium f. falcatum, Cymbidium ensifolium f. flaccidior, Cymbidium ensifolium f. misericors, Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. arcuatum, Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. falcatum
GBIF Accepted Name: Cymbidium ensifolium