Vanda coerulea - TheLiving Encyclopedia

Vanda coerulea, commonly known as blue orchid, blue vanda or autumn lady's tresses, is a species of orchid found in Northeast India with its range extending to China (southern Yunnan). It is known as kwaklei in Manipuri and vandaar in Sanskrit. It has bluish purple flowers which are very long-lasting compared to other orchids. The plant bears up to 20 to 30 spikes. == Taxonomy == The plant was first formally first described by John Lindley in 1847 from the description provided by William Griffith. The latter had obtained the specimen from the Khasi Hills, and named it. He then sent the dried specimens to London. The heterotypic synonyms are, Vanda coerulea f. delicata Vanda coerulea delicata Vanda coerulea var. grandiflora Vanda coerulea var. hennisiana Vanda coerulea f. luwangalba Vanda coerulea f. rogersii Vanda coerulea var. rogersii Vanda coerulescens Lindl. is a similar but separate species of dwarf form in plant and flowers. == Distribution and habitat == Previously, it was thought to have been found only in the Khasi Hills. Here it seemed was threatened as it was over-collected due to its ornamental nature, and local charcoal production from oak trees on which they usually grow. Therefore it was placed in the CITES Appendix I in the 1970s. == Medicinal uses == The flower's juice is used as eye drops against glaucoma, cataract and blindness. Active ingredients of Vanda coerulea may fight against the visible signs of ageing skin. == In popular culture == In 1988 Seychelles released a stamp featuring the flower. == References == == External links == Media related to Vanda coerulea at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Vanda coerulea at Wikispecies

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Distribution and habitat Previously, it was thought to have been found only in the Khasi Hills.[1] Here it seemed was threatened as it was over-collected due to its ornamental nature, and local charcoal production from oak trees on which they usually grow. 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Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-11-23.

📌 Taxonomy

The plant was first formally first described by John Lindley in 1847 from the description provided by William Griffith. The latter had obtained the specimen from the Khasi Hills, and named it. He then sent the dried specimens to London. The heterotypic synonyms are, * Vanda coerulea f. delicata * Vanda coerulea delicata * Vanda coerulea var. grandiflora * Vanda coerulea var. hennisiana * Vanda coerulea f. luwangalba * Vanda coerulea f. rogersii * Vanda coerulea var. rogersii Vanda coerulescens Lindl. is a similar but separate species of dwarf form in plant and flowers.

📌 Distribution and habitat

Previously, it was thought to have been found only in the Khasi Hills.

📌 Medicinal uses

The flower's juice is used as eye drops against glaucoma, cataract and blindness. Active ingredients of Vanda coerulea may fight against the visible signs of ageing skin.

📌 In popular culture

In 1988 Seychelles released a stamp featuring the flower.

Quick Facts

Common Names:

Vanda coerulea, Blue vanda, Blue Vanda, Orchid, blue orchid, ꯀ꯭ꯋꯥꯛꯂꯩ

Class:

Magnoliopsida

Data Completeness:

100%

Data Sources

🌍gbif

📚itis

📖wikipedia

🔬eol

🦎inaturalist

References

All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.

Distribution Statistics

10

Observations

6

Countries

Top Locations

บ้านหลวง ซอย2 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand

1

云南省西双版纳傣族自治州勐海县勐海镇K09县道

1

Shillong, Meghalaya, India

1

Murlen, Mizoram, India

1

Khawzawl, Mizoram 796310, India

1

Recent Observers

@ayuwat

@jenthebird

@bolin-1988

@rujutavinod

@aniruddha_singhamahapatra

@hmingsangii

First: 7/5/2017 · Latest: 10/2/2025