Orchid  (Renanthera bella)

Listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

This epiphytic orchid is a small herb that bears beautiful flowers; alluded to by the specific name of bella (2). Aerial roots hang down from the platform upon which the plant is situated, the orchid’s stem is covered with dead greyish-brown leaves below and is leafy above (4). The flower stalk, or inflorescence, is horizontal or drooping and may carry up to 25 delicate red flowers. The sepals and petals of the flower are narrow, yellowish-cream below but with many pink or crimson blotches above (2). The lip petal is fleshy with three lobes and it is also marked with dark red blotches (2).

Endemic to Sabah in Borneo, Renanthera bella is known only from Mount Kinabalu (2).

These orchids are usually positioned low on the trunks of Gymnostoma sumatrana trees (2), in rainforest that is between 400 and 1,200 metres above sea level (4).

The spectacular bright flowers appear in February and March (2). Epiphytes use trees for support, allowing them to be situated above the darkness of the rainforest floor.

These highly attractive orchids have suffered from massive over-collection and are now extremely rare in the wild (2).

These orchids are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which restricts trade in wild plants of this attractive species (3). This orchid is also found within Mount Kinabalu National Park where it receives a degree of protection (4).