Department: Brancho
Alias: One-leaf Orchid
Scientific Name: Pleione formosana
Gardening Classification: Perennial Herb
Origin: China, Taiwan
This orchid is primarily found in the foothills of the Himalayas along the China-India border, as well as in Thailand, Yunnan, Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and the Indochina Peninsula. The one-leaf orchid native to Taiwan grows mainly in mountainous regions at elevations between 1,500 and 2,500 meters above sea level. Its distribution spans from the Tianshan Mountains in Taoyuan in the north to Dawu Mountain in Taitung in the south. It can be commonly found in areas such as Xitou, Alishan, and Hualian, where it thrives most abundantly.
Morphological Characteristics:
The one-leaf orchid is a native species of the mid-altitude regions of Taiwan. It is a perennial herb that typically grows on moss-covered plants. This orchid has a conical pseudobulb that produces a flower stem in early spring, with leaves appearing after the anther forms. Each plant bears only one leaf, which is why it is called "One-leaf Orchid." The leaves are 15–25 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, oblong in shape with parallel veins. It is monoecious, producing single flowers or small racemes. The flowers range in color from pink to white, with oblong sepals and bracts that are similar in shape, approximately 5 cm long and pointed at the tip. The lip is trumpet-shaped, pale pink to white, with hairy edges. The column contains four anthers.
Flowering Period: February to April
Among the many orchids native to Taiwan, two species have gained particular recognition within the orchid community: the rare white phalaenopsis and the steppe orchid. There are about 60 species within the same genus.
In 1909, the one-leaf orchid was first discovered in the Alishan Forest Farm in Taiwan. In 1911, Japanese botanist Dr. Yukio Hayashi officially named it *Pleione formosana*. By 1912, staff from the Royal Botanic Garden visited Taiwan to collect specimens, spreading their exploration across the island, including near Taiping Mountain in Ilan. In 1914, it was cultivated in the Royal Botanic Garden for public display. In 1920, it won first prize at the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK. Until 1975, it received six awards, making it the most prized species in its genus. Additionally, some of the award-winning hybrids had parents from Taiwan, highlighting the exceptional beauty and value of this orchid.
The natural habitat of the one-leaf orchid in Taiwan includes the cloud belt forests of the province, featuring trees such as cypress, red pine, hemlock, Morinda citrifolia, and Taiwan cloud tree. Under the forest canopy, shrubs like Yushan Jian bamboo, rhododendrons, and bilberry dominate the landscape. In addition to the one-leaf orchid, this region is home to other rare plants, such as Alishan thousand-layer pagoda, Taiwan elm, Huashen, living rhododendron, Taiwan five-leaf, Alishan ten merits, and Weishi rough. These species require urgent conservation efforts.
Reproduction Characteristics:
The plant consists of a bulb and a single leaf. New plants can be produced through sexual reproduction via seeds, resulting in seedlings, or through asexual reproduction by regenerating new plants from the upper shoots of the bulbs. Bulbs with a diameter of over 1.4 cm are considered mature and capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction. Plants smaller than this size primarily reproduce asexually. Typically, each bulb has four buds and four nodes, with vegetative buds forming from nodules. Normally, the first growth occurs geometrically, and the large number of lateral buds helps ensure population stability.
Orchid Beauty:
The delicate body of the one-leaf orchid, combined with its stunning flowers, has captivated people for generations. Unfortunately, its beauty and status as an orchid have made it a target for illegal collection and environmental damage. As a result, it is nearly impossible to find in the wild outside of protected areas. For thousands of years, this orchid grew naturally in Taiwan, but after 400 years of Han settlement, it has become increasingly rare. As a native species, it reminds us of our deep connection to nature and the responsibility we hold to protect it. How many more species will disappear before we take action?
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