Coelogyne Species


Coelogynes comprise around 200 described and recorded species of mainly hardy Asiatic orchids. Of these, there are about 80 species in cultivation around the world. The list below covers the 60 or so species (plus many variations) that I have grown in my private collection in Australia.

The best Coelogynes are up there with the best orchids in the world in every possible category. (BTW, I pronounce these "See lodge n eze" but you are welcome to differ because there are many variations!)

Coelogyne flowers range from large beautiful white perfumed flowers to cascading vibrant greens and to a fascinating range with striking markings in white/yellow/gold/brown and blacks. Many have flowers that last a month (some longer) with some species repeat flowering - an extremely desirable trait in any house plant. A huge percentage of orchid lovers, gardeners and house plant enthusiasts already own at least one or two of these beautiful plants. Like most of the 30,000 recognised orchids in the world, many of the Coelogynes do do not possess what are normally considered likely horticultural traits e.g. large, pretty, hardy, perfume, long lasting, available in commercial quantities, etc. and are only relevant to species collectors and/or researchers and are never likely to acquire any commercial or popular merit.

The Kew Royal Botanic Gardens maintain a World checklist of monocotyledons (covers all official orchids species names, including all Coelogynes). BTW, Coelogynes make some of the most spectacular specimen plants of all orchids. Check out Coelogyne cristata, Coelogyne Unchained Melody, Dendrochilum magnum, Dendrochilum wenzellii and Dendrochilum tenellum and Pholidato chinensis just to whet your appetite. The background image throughout this site is Coelogyne flaccida.