Anoectochilus burmannicus

A mainland Asian jewel orchid of moist forest floors

Anoectochilus burmannicus is a small terrestrial orchid from mainland Southeast Asia. Bright branching veins cross its dark leaves, which grow along creeping stems close to the ground.

It occurs in humid woodland influenced by recurring monsoon rain. A closed canopy shades the plants below, and moss, decomposing leaves and fine roots create a loose surface over the mineral soil. The orchid spreads through this damp forest litter among surrounding vegetation, where the air remains humid and direct sunlight seldom reaches the leaves.

Care for jewel orchids and their velvet foliage

Substrate and roots

Choose a fine terrestrial orchid mix for Anoectochilus burmannicus, built from small bark, chopped sphagnum, coir and mineral aeration. It should feel springy after watering rather than compact or coarse.

Light

Anoectochilus burmannicus grows best close to a softly lit east-facing window or under a gentle grow light with no hot spot. Screen direct sun from south and west windows, although a brief cool morning ray is normally harmless after acclimation.

Watering

Maintain light, even moisture around Anoectochilus burmannicus. Do not wait for the velvet leaves to collapse; the shallow fine roots are already stressed by then.

Temperature

Keep Anoectochilus burmannicus in stable indoor warmth.

Humidity and airflow

Keep the plant at high humidity for reliable leaf expansion. It can survive lower household levels, but growth is often slower and the soft edges dry first.

Fertilising

Give Anoectochilus burmannicus a complete foliage or orchid feed at the very low end of the product-label rate during active creeping growth. Continue through winter only if new nodes remain active.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anoectochilus burmannicus

• Broad oval burgundy to near-black leaves carry bronze to red-orange veins: That combination is characteristic of Anoectochilus burmannicus. Healthy pigment and veins remain embedded in firm velvet; irregular silver scraping or wet-looking tissue is damage.
• The plant stays compact instead of creeping quickly: This species can be slow and relatively reluctant to spread. A firm stem, sound roots and an occasional new leaf are better health measures than rapid coverage of the pot.
• A hairy terminal spike with small yellowish flowers rises from a mature shoot: This species can flower in warm yellow tones rather than the white expected from many jewel orchids. The spike ends that shoot’s upward growth; new vegetative growth should later come from a lower node.
• Leaf edges curl inward and feel crisp: The root zone has dried too far or warm air is crossing the leaf. Rehydrate evenly and shelter the plant from heating airflow while preserving gentle air exchange around the stem.
• A lower stem becomes brown and pinched: Wet material is holding against the shoot. Remove the affected section, lower the planting depth and keep the surface open rather than wrapping the crown in compacted moss.

Keep Anoectochilus burmannicus away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

How did Anoectochilus burmannicus get its name?

Anoectochilus combines Greek anoiktos, meaning open, with cheilos, meaning lip, referring to the spreading form of the flower’s labellum. The epithet burmannicus means from Burma, now Myanmar.

Carl Ludwig Blume established the genus Anoectochilus in 1825 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 411.

Robert Allen Rolfe first described Anoectochilus burmannicus in 1922 in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew, volume 1922, page 24.