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Japanese Wind Orchid (Neofinetia falcata)

© Linda Fortner

Bring a touch of the Orient to your windowsill with a Japanese Wind Orchid! You too can cultivate this little jewel long treasured by Japanese royalty for its fragrance and foliage. In Japan, this orchid is commonly known as Fu-ran "The Wind Orchid." It is also known as Fuki-ran which means "Rich and Noble Orchid. Some history books document connections between the Samurai culture and this tiny plant. In his book A History of the Orchid, Merle A. Reinikka writes,

"Samurai warriors grew Neofinetia falcata, known as an orchid of wealth and nobility."

Samurai warriors would travel for miles in the search for this tiny orchid to bring back to the royal court. If the warrior succeeded in his quest, it was considered a sign of his bravery. Even today, Japanese royalty prize Neofinetia falcata for its beautiful foliage and wonderful fragrance of the dainty flowers. The Japanese Wind Orchid, Neofinetia falcata (Thunberg) H. H. Hu (1925), was the sole member of its genus until 1996. The generic name, Neofinetia, commemorates the French botanist Achille Finet (1862-1913). The species name, falcata refers to the sickle-shaped prominent spur of the flowers. Due to its similarities to other orchids, Neofinetia falcata has been known by many different names. It was once most commonly listed as Angraecum falcatum (Thunb.) Schltr. because the little flowers produce 2" long spurs much like the Angraecums and the leaves are shaped like an Angraecum or the strap-leafed Vanda. Neofinetia falcata has also been listed as:

• Aerides thunbergii Mig.
• Angraecum falcatum (Thunb.) Lindl.,
• Finetia falcata (Thunb.)Schltr.
• Orchis falcata Thunb.
• Oeceoclades falcata (Thunb.) Lindl.
• Nipponorchis falcata (Thunb.) Masamune
• Holcoglossumn falcatum (Thunb.) Garay & Sweet
• Angraeacaopsis falcata (Thunb.) Schltr.

As you can see, this little orchid was so different that no one could make up his or her mind what genus it should belong. Eventually, it was placed in its own unique genus where it was listed all by itself for many years. Recently, however, a new species has been added. Neofinetia richardsiana which E.A. Christenson described in 1996. Found in China and Korea, the main difference between the two species is the spur. The length of N. falcata is 4cm and the length of N. richardsiana is only 1cm.

Neofinetia falcata is a tiny little 15cm epiphytic orchid that is widespread in China, Korea, Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. It has become a very popular orchid in the USA. N. falcata has been used extensively in hybridizing creating such beautiful hybrids as Neostylis (x Rhyncostylis), Ascofinetia (x Ascrocentrum), Vandafinetia (x Vanda) to name just a few of the over 30 currently available. By using Neofinetia as a parent, hybridizers achieve petite plants and floriferous nature in many different color combinations. I have the beautiful cross Ascofinetia Peaches 'Kultan' which blooms in late summer, the same time as my N. falcata.

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