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|image_caption=Vanda Miss Joaquim
|image_caption=Vanda Miss Joaquim
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'''''Vanda''''' is a [[genus]] in the orchid family (''[[Orchidaceae]]'') which, although not large (about fifty [[species]]), is one of the most important florally.
== Description ==
The name "Vanda" is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] name for the species ''Vanda tessellata''.
These mostly [[epiphyte|epiphytic]], but sometimes [[lithophyte|lithophytic]] or [[terrestrial plant|terrestrial]] orchids are distributed in [[India]], [[Himalaya]], SE [[Asia]], [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[New Guinea]], southern [[China]] and northern [[Australia]].
The genus has a [[monopodial]] growth habit with leaves that are highly variable according to [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]]. Some have flat, typically broad, ovoid leaves (strap-leaves), while others have cylindrical (terete), fleshy leaves and are adapted to dry periods. The stems of these orchids vary considerably in size; there are miniature plants and plants with a length of several meters.
There are few to many flattened [[flower]]s growing on a lateral [[inflorescence]]. Most show a yellow-brown color with brown markings, but they also appear in white, green, orange, red and burgundy shades. The [[labellum|lip]] has a small spur. ''Vanda''s usually bloom every few months and the flowers last for two to three weeks.
This genus is one of the five most horticulturally important orchid genera, because it has some of the most magnificent flowers to be found in the entire orchid family. This has contributed much to the work of [[Hybrid (biology)|hybridists]] producing flowers for the cut flower market. ''Vanda coerulea'' is one of the few botanical orchids with blue flowers (actually a very bluish purple), a property much appreciated for producing interspecific and intergeneric hybrids. ''Vanda dearei'' is one of the chief sources of yellow color in ''Vanda'' hybrids. [[Vanda Miss Joaquim|''Vanda'' Miss Joaquim]] is the National Flower of [[Singapore]].
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Vanda (native name in India). Orchidaceae. One of the most attractive groups of East Indian orchids, nearly all species having large handsome flowers.
Vanda (native name in India). Orchidaceae. One of the most attractive groups of East Indian orchids, nearly all species having large handsome flowers.
