The Flower:

      The flowers occur on a long stem like structure called the spike. On a single spike there are typically ten to twenty flowers. Some species may have as many as seventy blooms on a single spike. The flowers can easily last for two months and sometimes plants will flower up to eight months out of the year. The flowers of Phalaenopsis sago lisa are yellow in color and are about three and a half inches in diameter. Phalaenopsis flower has three sepals and three petals. In orchids sepals are colored, unlike most other flowers where the sepals are often green and are notably less colorful then the petals. The lowest petal is highly modified compared to the other two petals. It is referred to as the lip or labellum. The labellum is extensively colored to attract pollinating insects and acts as the landing platform for insects. A finger like projection, or column, protrudes from the center on the flower. The column houses the reproductive structures.

1 Sepals - there are 3 sepals per flower

2 Petals - there are 3 petals, the lower one is called the labellum

3 Labellum - very colorful landing platform for pollinators

4 Column - houses reproductive structures.

The Root:

      Phalaenopsis orchids have much thicker roots then most other plants. This is primarily due to the fact the phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytic and need strength and surface area to attach to tree trunks and rocks. The thickness of the roots also serve as a means of water storage in brief droughts. The white outer layer of a root is made up of spongy cells that help absorb water and nutrients. This tissue is called velamen. Orchids will sprout aerial roots in humid environments to help with water acquisition. The green tip is the most active part of the root where growing takes place. In inactive stages the green tip is covered with the white velamen.

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The Leaves:

      Phalaenopsis plants have thick, leathery leaves that can grow to be quite large. In phalaenopsis sago lisa the leaves rang from six to twelve inches long and two to three inches wide. These orchids are also monopodial, meaning that the leaves grow in alterations out of a center stem. In monopodial plants growth occurs in an upwards direction. The leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis because of their increased surface area. Click here for a more detailed description of photosynthesis.