VANDA

Orchid (Vanda). genus of colourful orchids, family Orchidaceae, with about 70 species distributed from East Asia to Australia. Most species have long, sturdy stems that bear closely spaced, strap-shaped leaves. Many hybrids have been developed by crossing species within the genus and also by crossing Vanda species with those of other orchid genera. Vanda flowers usually are flat and have a short spur on the lip. One of the most beautiful species, V. sanderiana, is considered to be in a separate genus, Euanthe, by some authorities. This many-coloured Philippine flower is often used in hybridization. The bluish-flowered V. coerulea and the dark-spotted V. tricolor are other well-known species.