Luisia trichoriza - Hairy Root Orchid

Other Genera Species

by Anu Dharmani

Originally published in BellaOnline

Posted by Sys Admin over 7 years ago.


This article references Lsa. trichorrhiza.
Article Blog   Article Index

Luisia trichorhiza is a unique looking orchid. The stems and the leaves are thin needle-like and green in colour. This orchid is an epiphyte growing in tropical as well as temperate climatic zones. It can be seen growing as a lithophyte (growing on rocks) also.

Regional Distribution: Luisia trichorhiza is found growing throughout South and South East Asia, New Guinea. It also occurs in the Pacific Islands of Fiji and Samoa as well as Australia. 

Local namesKoira in Orissa (India).

Physical description: Luisia has an erect and climbing stem, which is terete in chararter (that is thin needle like). Leaves are also terete and look similar to the stem. Flowers are small, about 1 cm. Single flowers appear simultaneously at several points along the stem. Aerial stem arise from the lower nodes.

Cultivation practices
1. Watering: It requires frequent watering because Luisia does not have any water storage organs. It does give out aerial roots but these do not store much water.
2. Light: It grows in exposed conditions in the natural habitats, so it can be grown out in open or in direct sun. If your region does not have high humidity, then keep a container filled with water near it to maintain congenial the microclimate around the orchid. Or you can place a humidifier which ever is convenient. 
3. Temperature: It grows well in warm temperatures. 
4. Fertilization: Use fertilizers which are meant for orchids. Before fertilizing read the instructions carefully and apply as instructed. 
5. Propagation techniques: it can be grown in baskets or tree log, using coconut husk, moss, tree fern etc. can be used as growth medium. Both coconut- husk chunks and husk fibers can be used. Luisia can also be grown in pots, where the growth medium can be charcoal pieces, tree bark which gets dry faster than the coconut husk or moss.
6. Pest and diseases: Careful and frequent monitoring of the orchids is the best method to control pests and diseases. This way pests and diseases can be controlled easily before causing and extensive damage to the orchids. With an added benefit to the environment by reduced use of chemicals

Uses other than ornamental
1. In India, it is used as a local medicine for curing Jaundice. For that whole plant is dried and crushed to make a paste, which has to be consumed orally with water on empty stomach. It is also used to treat diarrhea in cattle.
2. A paste of leaves of Luisia is used as external application to relieve muscular pain in Nepal. 

References
1. Dash, P.K. et.al. 2008. Ethnobotanical studies on orchids of Niyamgiri Hill ranges, Orissa, India. Ethnobot. Leafl. 12: 70 -78.

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

New Topics

  1. Jeanne Uzar Hudson asked question Meetings for Advanced Growers in category General Discussion
  2. kevan gregory asked question how difficult is it growing from seed in category General Discussion
  3. Carmen Britton asked question Information in category General Discussion
  4. Jeanne Uzar Hudson asked question Repotting Large Cattleyas in category Cattleya Alliance
  5. Nancy Shapiro asked question Where did you find this type of orchid pot? in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Repotting Large Cattleyas" by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  2. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Paph. malipoense by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  3. William Gorski commented on topic "how difficult is it growing from seed" by kevan gregory
  4. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Information " by Carmen Britton
  5. Carol Holdren commented on member plant C. lueddemanniana var. Coerulea, Venosa by Paulo Fiuza
  6. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Banrot 40WP" by Therese Stecher
  7. Maria Lucia Prieto Real commented on orchid Rlc. Village Chief Armani
  8. Mariana Chacon commented on orchid Gom. Jiaho Queen
  9. Roberto Lizama commented on member plant Max. dillonii by Roberto Lizama
  10. Nancy Speedy commented on scheduled event "2024 Orchid show Martin County "Ocean of Orchids"" by Martin County Orchid Society
  11. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Paph. Fanaticum by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  12. R .Benson commented on member plant Den. Tianmu Green Elf 'Sweetheart' by R .Benson
  13. Alice Walker commented on article "Oeniella polystachys" by Tom Kuligowski
  14. Kathryn Kersey commented on scheduled event "Boca Raton Orchid Society Show & Sale" by Boca Raton Orchid Society
  15. BJ Lough commented on member plant Asctm. miniatum by BJ Lough
  16. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Where did you find this type of orchid pot?" by Nancy Shapiro
  17. Carol Holdren commented on topic "What is the culture for Cattliante Chongkolnee" by Mike Minney
  18. Linda Thorne commented on member plant Paphiopedilum Munchkin Mopsi Aru by Linda Thorne
  19. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Orchids wanted St.Croix usvi" by Charles H Wood
  20. William Gorski commented on topic "Is this a species or Primary Hybrid?" by William Gorski