The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for December 2023 is the Awl-Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid, scientifically known as Cleisostoma subulatum Blume from the family Orchidaceae. The name “Cleisostoma” is derived from the Greek words kleistos, meaning “closed” and “stoma” meaning “mouth. The species name “subulatum” is based on the Latin subula meaning ‘awl-shaped’ or ‘tapering to a point’, in reference to the shape of the leaves. The plant is native to the Philippines, Borneo, India, Java, Malay Peninsula, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Awl-Leaf Closed-Mouth Orchid is an epiphytic orchid that thrives in partially shaded to fully exposed lowland areas usually from 300m to 500 m altitude. It is a densely flowered inflorescence with long pendulous spikes of small flowers that bloom successively at any time of the year. Its inflorescence is lightly flecked violet brown shorter than the leaves. This orchid can be found hanging on different branches of trees within the Makiling Botanic Gardens.
To learn more about this plant, you may watch the video from this link: https://youtu.be/65c4HymuGQM
By: AALimpiada and ACMalayba