Aerides odorata

Aerides odorata is native to China, the Himalayas, Bhutan, India, Assam and Nepal. The name "Aerides" means child of the air and, of course, "odorata" means fragrant.

This easy growing, free-flowering plant produces pendant, foxtail-like flower sprays. These are decorated in a multitude of 1" to 1.5" cream to white colored flowers with a darker purple/magenta lip. There are varying degrees of purple and pink splashes on the petals and sepals and, occasionally, there can be entirely pink forms.

The flowers are long lasting (6-8 weeks) and once open for a few days become very fragrant. Vanda culture is suitable, although these seem to do better with a little less light.