The Calanthe genus of orchid species, divided into two groups deciduous species and evergreen ones. Calanthe species are found in all tropical areas, but mostly concentrated in Southeast Asia; some species also range into subtropical and tropical lands such as China, India, Madagascar, Australia, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Calanthe discolor is a well-known species found in Japan, the southern part of Korea and China; its vernacular name in Japanese, ebine means “shrimp-root” in reference to the shape of the plant’s pseudobulbs and root system. Growing orchids from seed is a fairly specialized undertaking and it requires a bit of understanding of tissue culture techniques. If you have never grown orchids from seed we recommend that before attempting this you should first contact your local Orchid Society, or purchase a book on the subject, or both!

Calanthe sylvatica is native to tropical and southern Africa from Sierra Leone to Tanzania to South Africa, as well as Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Réunion. In South Africa it is indigenous to the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces. It grows to 60 cm tall. This summer rainfall species has broad pleated leaves. From summer to autumn it bears erect mauve flowers with long spurs which fade to apricot-orange. This species is normally found in forests and wet areas.