Phaius

Read about Phaius in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Phaius (Greek, dark; referring to the color of the flowers). Often spelled Phajus. Orchidaceae. Very large orchids with ample foliage and all clustered stems terminating in racemes of showy flowers. Sepals and petals similar, spreading or half-spreading; labellum large, with the lateral lobes inclosing the column, usually gibbous or spurred behind; column slender; pollinia 8. Distinguished from Calanthe by the free labellum; from Thunia by the leafless bracted scape which does not terminate the leafy axis.—About 20 species, natives of Trop. Asia, Afr., Austral., China, Japan, and the South Sea Isls. The genus Phaius includes both epiphytic and terrestrial representatives. The noteworthy epiphytic types are native of Madagascar, including P. tuberculosus, P. simulans, and P. Humblotii. However they are not frequently represented in orchid collections. They enjoy a warm moist atmosphere as for vanda. The potting medium should include chopped peat and moss in equal proportion. When potting, small rafts with the potting medium packed around or sections of fern stems, the latter being preferable, should be placed in the center of the pot or basket. The terrestrial species, especially P. grandifolius, are well known, being one of the first orchids put under cultivation. It dates as far back as 1778, when it was imported from China. Various species are native to low-lying swampy places of tropical Asia and Australia, and have also become naturalized in the West Indies. They are of easy culture and will grow in an ordinary warmhouse associated with palms. They delight in moisture throughout the year, in a growing medium of sandy fibrous sod-soil, with plenty of organic fertilizer in a dried state mixed with the soil and also in liquid form when in full growth. The main factor to bear in mind is perfect drainage. Plants are increased readily by the division of the dormant pseudobulbs. Upward of thirty garden hybrids are under cultivation at the present time, including some interesting bigeneric forms. (G. H. Pring.) The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Phaius
Phaius rosellus
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Arethuseae Subtribe: Bletiinae Genus: Phaius Lour.
Species
*Phaius tankervilleae - nun's orchid, veiled orchid

Phaius is a genus of large, mostly terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae). The genus has about 20 species. These species are found in tropical Asia, into China, Japan, Australia, and west to Africa and Madagascar.

Synonymy

The following genera have been included into this genus:

• Cyanorchis Thouars
• Gastorchis Thouars
• Gastrorchis Schltr.
• Hecabe Raf.
• Pachyne Salisb.
• Pesomeria Lindl.
• Tankervillia Link