Botanical Illustration of Aerides virens ellisii.
Species Description
Aerides virens is described by Benjamin S. Williams in the Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual as “a lovely plant from Java, with light green foliage eight inches long; the flowers are of a light peach colour, spotted with purple, the lip being spotted with crimson. Blooms in May and June, the flowers remaining long in perfection. A desirable species. (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
Varieties and Cultivars
Aerides virens ellisii. “In habit and appearance this plant somewhat resembles Aerides falcatum, but does not present the metallic blue on its leaves, but is of a somewhat pale green; the leaves are about six inches long and one and a half broad; spike eighteen to twenty inches long, bearing upwards of three dozen large flowers; sepals and petals large, white, suffused with rose, and tipped with amethyst; the lower sepals very round and broad; lip large, side lobes white, beautifully freckled towards the base, with short lines of amethyst; middle lobe broad, and deep rich amethyst in colour; spur stout, curved upwards, and tipped with brown. It blooms early in June and lasts long in full beauty.” (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
Aerides virens grandiflorum was described by Benjamin S. Williams as a “magnificent variety from India, whose flowers are larger than those of Aerides virens, of a white and pink colour, and more graceful in their manner of growth. The only plant I have seen of this was in the collection of the late J. A. Turner, Esq., Manchester, where it bloomed during April and May, and continued from three to four weeks in beauty.” (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
Aerides virens superbum. “This is another fine variety from India, the growth of which is the same as that of Aerides virens, except that the spikes and flowers are longer and of a brighter colour. It blooms about the same time, and remains long in perfection. There is another superb variety, called Aerides dayi, which blooms about the same time.” (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
Synonyms
Publications
- Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual
- Edwards vol 30 (NS 7) pl 41 (1844)
