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.