It is a clumping herb with leafy, erect stems joined at the base, up to 2.5 m tall. Its alternate leaves are grass-like.
Flowers are large, 5 by 5 cm and develop in shoots at the tips of the stems. Its three sepals and two lateral petals are white to light-pink. The third petal is modified to a bright rosy purple lip with a central yellow patch.
Fruits are cigar-shaped capsules that split to release the tiny, wind-dispersed seeds when ripe.
The bamboo orchid is found occuring naturally in lowland secondary forests, right up to higher altitudes in the tropical montane forests. Its natural habitats include open areas, grassland, mountains and rocky places by streams. Unlike many epiphytic orchids, which are found growing on trees, this orchid is a terrestrial species.
Ants are known to visit the flowering parts of the plant, while the flowers are bee-pollinated.
The bamboo orchid prefers well-drained moderately moist to moist soil, full sun, high humidity and good air circulation. The soil should also not be allowed to dry out between waterings. In the absence of adequate light, the plant will not flower.
The genus name "Arundina" is derived from the Greek word, "Arundo" (αρυνδο), in reference to the reed-like stems of the plant, while the specific epithet "graminifolius" comes from the Latin "gramineus" and "folius", which refer to the grass-like leaves.
The plant's flowers are edible.
A highland variety of the bamboo orchid are used by locals in East Malaysia as a vegetable. Its flowers are first stir-fried, and said to have a bitter taste, like bittergourd, and are useful in controlling high blood pressure.
Occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant for its flowers, the plants are free-flowering throughout the year once established in optimal conditions.
It can be a flower-bed ornamental plant, grown for its pretty flowers. Once established, plants are free-flowering. It is suitable for streetscapes, parks and gardens.
Reference
Plants of Singapore
