Vandaspecies

Vanda lamellata var. lamellata – Type Variety

"Vanda lamellata var. lamellata flowers, yellow-green with subtle markings." — *Vanda lamellata* var. *lamellata* in full bloom.

Lindley, 1838 – Section Vanda

Vanda lamellata var. lamellata is a small-sized variety, relatively uncommon in cultivation. It is easily recognizable as the only variety with a yellow labellum, while other varieties display a pink labellum. The flowers are spotted with hazel-brown or magenta across all petals and sepals, a trait shared with var. calayana. In contrast, the more common varieties in collections, var. boxallii and var. remediosae, show markings mainly on the lateral sepals.

The species name comes from the Latin lamella, meaning “small plate,” referring to the longitudinal ridges visible on the labellum.

For further comparison, see the articles on Vanda lamellata var. boxallii and Vanda lamellata var. remediosae on this blog.

Vanda lamellata var. lamellata flower with fine markings, close-up view — Close-up of a *Vanda lamellata* var. *lamellata* flower

Synonyms

Vanda boxallii, Vanda clitellaria, Vanda cumingii, Vanda nasugbuana, Vanda superba, Vanda unicolor, Vanda vidalii, Vanda yamiensis (also spelled Vanda amiensis). The Taiwan variety is sometimes called Vanda lamellata var. amiensis.

Vanda lamellata var. lamellata flower, yellow-green with dark brown markings, close-up — Close-up of a Vanda lamellata var. *lamellata* flower with darker markings

Distribution

This species has an extremely wide range:

Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
Mariana Islands
Philippines
Southeastern Taiwan on a small islet
Sabah, Borneo

The species is considered extinct in Taiwan.

Spike of Vanda lamellata var. lamellata with numerous yellow-green flowers — Vanda lamellata var. *lamellata* inflorescence in full bloom

Vernacular Names

Japan (Ryukyu Islands): Koto-hisaui-ran
China: Ya Mei Wan Dai Lan (雅美万代兰)

Flowers

Size: 3–5.5 cm
Strongly fragrant
Color: pale yellow to yellow-green, striped or spotted with hazel-brown or magenta
Petals and sepals: spatulate, recurved, reflexed backward
Labellum: short and thick, with two longitudinal ridges on the mid-lobe
Spur: conical

Inflorescence

Flowers per inflorescence: 8–35
Erect, can reach up to 70 cm

Plant Size and Leaves

Usually small, around 20 cm, though some specimens may reach 40 cm
Leaves: narrow, recurved, strongly keeled, bidentate at apex

Compact Vanda lamellata var. lamellata plant showing two tall erect inflorescences with yellow-green flowers — Compact *Vanda lamellata* var. *lamellata* with two erect flower spikes

Holotype / Type Variety

Vanda lamellata var. lamellata represents the type variety (holotype) of Vanda lamellata, serving as the reference specimen for the species’ defining characteristics.

Green strap-like leaves of Vanda lamellata var. lamellata, showing their shape and texture — Foliage of *Vanda lamellata* var. *lamellata*.

References

Claudie Roguenant & Guy Chiron, Vandas et genres voisins des orchidées spectaculaires, SFE Éditions, 2003
O’Byrne, A to Z of South East Asian Orchid Species, 2001
Grove, Vandas and Ascocendas, 1995
Motes, The Natural Genus Vanda, 2021
Jim Cootes, The Orchids of the Philippines
Jim Cootes & George Tiong, The Vanda Species of the Philippines, Renziana Vol. 3, 2013

Tall erect spike of Vanda lamellata var. lamellata densely covered with yellow-green flowers — Erect inflorescence of *Vanda lamellata* var. *lamellata* with many flowers.