Spathoglottis plicata Blume, Orchidaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 16 (Go to the risk assessment).

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: zi hua bao she lan

English: Malayan ground orchid, Philippine ground orchid, Solomon Islands orchid, fernland orchid

Niuean: pupukale

Samoan: o‘o

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Erect, terrestrial perennial herbs 3-15 dm tall, pseudobulbs crowded along and obscuring rhizome, ovoid, 2-4 (-6) cm long, completely surrounded by the persistent fibrous leaf bases.  Leaves 2-6 per pseudobulb, conspicuously plicate, linear-lanceolate, 20-150 cm long, (0.8-) 2.5-8 cm wide, veins conspicuously raised on lower surface, margins entire, apex narrowly acuminate, base long-attenuate.  Flowers dark purple to pale pink or rarely white, in erect, racemose inflorescences arising from the pseudobulb, 1.5-15 dm long, bracts green to greenish purple, erect, becoming reflexed with age; sepals and petals similar, spreading, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 1.5-2 cm long; labellum distinctly 3-lobed, lateral lobes erect or ascending, linear-obovate, 0.8-1.2 cm long, middle lobe horizontal or ascending, distinctly clawed, 1.2-1.5 cm long, the calluses 3-4 mm high, deeply 2-lobed, the lobes bright yellow with pink markings; column dark purple to white, narrowly clavate, 12-15 mm long, slightly winged along lateral edges near stigma; rostellum thin, 1-1.5 mm long.  Capsules cylindrical, 6-ribbed, 3.5-4 cm long"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1476).

Description from Flora of China online.

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in open, disturbed, usually grassy areas in mesic to wet forest, 0-640 m"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1476).  In Fiji, "as found in apparently natural habitats, occurs along roads, in open hillside thickets, and in forest openings from near sea level to about 800 m."  (Smith, 1991; p. 481).  In Niue, "it grows all through the fernland and in clearings and scrub on the margins of this region, but rarely occurs in the forest"  (Sykes, 1970; pp. 263-264).  In Taiwan, "Sunny places at forest margins, grassy slopes"  (Flora of China online).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  "This widespread species is believed to occur naturally from India and southeastern Asia throughout Malesia to the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, and also in Tonga, Niue, and Samoa. It is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental elsewhere" (Smith, 1991; p. 481).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa American Samoa Islands	American Samoa Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 127)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 24)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 127)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Saipan	Saipan Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 24)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	uncertain if native invasive	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Perhaps introduced and naturalised
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	uncertain if native invasive	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Perhaps introduced and naturalised
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	uncertain if native invasive	McCormack, Gerald (2013) Perhaps introduced and naturalised
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 9)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	native	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 52)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	native cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481) Voucher cited: Smith 1823
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	native cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481) Vouchers cited: Smith 6035, Degener 15212, Smith 9352, DA 16948 (cult.), Kores & Molvray F32, H.B.R. & B.F.H Parham 1 (cult.), H.B.R. Parham 1a
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013) Voucher cited: D. H. Lorence, L. M. Dunn, S.P. Perlman, K.R. Wood, J.-Y. Meyer 9001 (P, PAP, PTBG, US)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence, D.H. Lorence, S.P. Perlman, W.L. Wagner 9594 (BISH, P), W.L. Wagner, D.H. Lorence 6229 (BISH, P, US)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Tahuata (Tuhuata) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013) Voucher cited: L. M. Dunn 204 (P, PAP, PTBG, US)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013) Voucher cited: D. H. Lorence, L. D. Dunn, K. R. Wood, T. Teikiehuupoo 9105 (P, PAP, PTBG, US)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Bora Bora Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 12123 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence & R. Tahuaitu 11562 (PAP)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg & M. Mount 64983 (PAP)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 2153 (PAP), J. Florence 4762 (PAP), C.L. Cartier 251 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 3410 (PAP), J. Florence 3487 (PAP), J. Florence 8983 (PAP), P. Morat 7011 (PAP), J. Florence 10412 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: F.R. Fosberg 63432 (PAP)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J. Florence 2739 (PAP), J. Florence 3180 (PAP), J. Florence 8148 (PAP), J. Florence 8779 (PAP), J. Everett & M. Guérin 1506 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tetiaroa Atoll	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Tubuai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 162)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 127)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 24)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1476)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 47)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island		Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	native	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (pp. 263-264) Voucher cited: CHR 150584
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Western Samoa Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (p. 481)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Kao Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15929
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Tofua Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Vouchers cited: Scarth-Johnson 27, Hotta 4375, Hotta 4387, Sykes 511, Sykes 552, Sykes 553
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Vouchers cited: Lister s.n., Hurlimann 223, Yuncker 15437, Yuncker 15669, Hotta 5284 (cf. 5243), Hotta 533a (n.s.), Whistler 6472, Whistler 7422
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Voucher cited: Graeffe (n.s.)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Late Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Vouchers cited: Hotta 4472, Hotta 4811, Buelow & Sykes 215
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Niuafo‘ou Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Vouchers cited: Buelow 2070, Whistler 6430
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Tafahi Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Vouchers cited: Hurlimann 431, Buelow 1185, Whistler 6241
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	native	Whistler, W. A. (1992) (p. 95) Voucher cited: Crosby 247

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Northern Queensland
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Japan Ryukyu Islands	Ryukyu Islands	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	native	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 80)
Taiwan Taiwan Island	Taiwan Island	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Spathoglottis plicata, please let us know.