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Potato orchids (Gastrodia)
Orchids in the genus potato orchids are mycotrophic herbs with a fleshy, underground rhizome and an upright flowering stem with a few to many brownish, resupinate flowers. The sepals and petals are fused to form a bell-shaped or irregular tube with the tips free. The petals are usually much smaller than the sepals and the labellum has three lobes and is fully enclosed in the tube. Potato orchids is about ninety of which have been described. They are native to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, central Africa, and various islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Orchid
Key Facts About Potato orchids
Feedback
Attributes of Potato orchids
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Potato orchids
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Monocotyledons
Order
Asparagus and allies
Family
Orchid
Genus
Potato orchids
Distribution of Potato orchids
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Distribution Map of Potato orchids
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Potato orchids
Feedback
The potato orchids genus, primarily comprised of orchids, thrives in medium light conditions and prefers a warm, humid environment. It's found naturally in well-drained, rich organic soils. Potato orchids can be susceptible to pests like aphids or diseases like root rot. It requires extra care during winter to prevent temperature drops from triggering dormancy or rot. In summer, appropriate watering and protection from harsh sunlight are key. There may be seasonal variations in care depending on the specific species within the genus.
How to Water Potato orchids?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Potato orchids?
How to Propagate Potato orchids?
How to Plant Potato orchids?
Exploring the Potato orchids Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Chinese materia medica
Chinese materia medica requires the presence of two fungi in order to germinate and grow: Mycena and Armillaria mellea. Though often thought to be leafless, chinese materia medica does have leaves—they’re just very small.
Gastrodia flavilabella
Gastrodia flavilabella is a fascinating orchid notable for its lack of chlorophyll, resulting in a pale, almost translucent appearance. This mycoheterotrophic plant relies on symbiotic relationships with fungi for nutrition, typically thriving in the dark, forested undergrowth where sunlight is scarce. Its delicate yellowish-bell-shaped flowers are both rare and alluring, emerging in short inflorescences that captivate with their subtle beauty.
Potato orchid
Potato orchid is a remarkable terrestrial orchid, elusive in dark forest floors. Lacking chlorophyll, it thrives symbiotically with fungi for nutrients, rather than through photosynthesis. This plant is distinguished by its fleshy, brown, tuber-like stems, and emits a faint odor to attract pollinating flies, showcasing small, translucent flowers that emerge in a striking hooded form.
Gastrodia cooperae
Gastrodia cooperae is a unique orchid that thrives in the shelter of dense forests, deriving nutrients not from photosynthesis but from its relationships with fungi. Lacking chlorophyll, it bears an enigmatic, brown to maroon-colored flower. This rare bloom emerges directly from the ground, signaling gastrodia cooperae's mysterious life beneath the forest floor.
Gastrodia minor
Gastrodia minor is a small, often overlooked terrestrial orchid with nondescript brownish to purple flowers. Lacking chlorophyll, it relies on a symbiotic relationship with fungi for nutrition, typically flourishing in dark, humid forest floors. Its inconspicuous appearance allows it to blend seamlessly into the underbrush, a survival adaptation to its shaded woodland habitats.
Tall potato orchid
Tall potato orchid is a tall, leafless orchid with a strikingly smooth and elongated stem. Emerging from the forest floor, it relies entirely on fungi for nutrients, having no chlorophyll of its own. Its translucent flowers bloom rarely, emitting a subtle fragrance. This reclusive organism reflects a refined adaptation to its shaded, moist habitat.
Gastrodia molloyi
Gastrodia molloyi is a rare terrestrial orchid that thrives in dark, forested environments, often forming symbiotic relationships with fungi for nutrients. This elusive plant is devoid of chlorophyll, bearing an unusual, almost ghostly appearance with its pale, leafless structure. It typically blooms with singular, small brown flowers that may attract pollinators with their unique scent, a reflection of gastrodia molloyi's adaptation to low-light conditions.
Black orchid
Black orchid is a terrestrial orchid that thrives in the shaded undergrowth of New Zealand forests. Its brown, leafless stems emerge in spring, leading to inconspicuous, tubular flowers which are pollinated by fungus gnats. Uniquely, black orchid lacks chlorophyll and instead gains nutrients through a symbiotic relationship with fungi in the surrounding forest soil.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Potato orchids
Gastrodia
Orchids in the genus potato orchids are mycotrophic herbs with a fleshy, underground rhizome and an upright flowering stem with a few to many brownish, resupinate flowers. The sepals and petals are fused to form a bell-shaped or irregular tube with the tips free. The petals are usually much smaller than the sepals and the labellum has three lobes and is fully enclosed in the tube. Potato orchids is about ninety of which have been described. They are native to Asia, Australia, New Zealand, central Africa, and various islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Orchid
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Key Facts About Potato orchids
Feedback
Attributes of Potato orchids
Leaf type
Deciduous
Ideal Temperature
20 - 38 ℃
Scientific Classification of Potato orchids
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Monocotyledons Order
Asparagus and allies Family
Orchid Genus
Potato orchids Distribution of Potato orchids
Feedback
Distribution Map of Potato orchids
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Potato orchids
Feedback
The potato orchids genus, primarily comprised of orchids, thrives in medium light conditions and prefers a warm, humid environment. It's found naturally in well-drained, rich organic soils. Potato orchids can be susceptible to pests like aphids or diseases like root rot. It requires extra care during winter to prevent temperature drops from triggering dormancy or rot. In summer, appropriate watering and protection from harsh sunlight are key. There may be seasonal variations in care depending on the specific species within the genus.
How to Water Potato orchids?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Potato orchids?
How to Propagate Potato orchids?
How to Plant Potato orchids?
Exploring the Potato orchids Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Chinese materia medica
Chinese materia medica requires the presence of two fungi in order to germinate and grow: Mycena and Armillaria mellea. Though often thought to be leafless, chinese materia medica does have leaves—they’re just very small.
Gastrodia flavilabella
Gastrodia flavilabella is a fascinating orchid notable for its lack of chlorophyll, resulting in a pale, almost translucent appearance. This mycoheterotrophic plant relies on symbiotic relationships with fungi for nutrition, typically thriving in the dark, forested undergrowth where sunlight is scarce. Its delicate yellowish-bell-shaped flowers are both rare and alluring, emerging in short inflorescences that captivate with their subtle beauty.
Potato orchid
Potato orchid is a remarkable terrestrial orchid, elusive in dark forest floors. Lacking chlorophyll, it thrives symbiotically with fungi for nutrients, rather than through photosynthesis. This plant is distinguished by its fleshy, brown, tuber-like stems, and emits a faint odor to attract pollinating flies, showcasing small, translucent flowers that emerge in a striking hooded form.
Gastrodia cooperae
Gastrodia cooperae is a unique orchid that thrives in the shelter of dense forests, deriving nutrients not from photosynthesis but from its relationships with fungi. Lacking chlorophyll, it bears an enigmatic, brown to maroon-colored flower. This rare bloom emerges directly from the ground, signaling gastrodia cooperae's mysterious life beneath the forest floor.
Show More Species
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
