A branched herb, stems erect, compressed, furrowed when old, 30—60 cm long, including pseudo-bulbs. Leaves distichous, linear-oblong, 7—12 cm x 1—3 cm, lasting for 2 years, subsessile. Racemes on leaf-bearing or leafless stems, flowers in clusters of 2—4, 6—8 cm in diameter, sepals and petals mauve, pink to red, paling to white at base, sepals lanceolate, up to 35—45 mm x 15 mm, acute, petals ovate, 40—50 mm x 25 mm, margin somewhat undulate, lip elliptical-ovate, 45 mm x 30 mm, hairy, funnel-shaped at base, throat dark violet, surrounded by yellow or white.

Antiphlogistic, pectoral, sialogogue, stomachic and tonic.

Plants For A Future
PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation

Beta-sitosterol (plant); dendrobine (stem).

Used in treating mild fever following illness, thirst from stress, dryness of mouth and throat, flatulence, anorexia, lumbago and impotence.