Anoectochilus lylei

Anoectochilus lylei (often misspelled as "leyli") is a small jewel orchid found from South China to Northern Thailand. There, it grows in very shady spots, usually directly on damp rocks (lithophytic). It reaches a height of only about 5 to 10 cm (without the flower stalk), with leaves 3 to 4 cm in size. It remains somewhat smaller than other Anoectochilus. The leaves have a dark green, sometimes almost black, base color and a striking, light stripe along the middle of the leaf, as well as some silvery shimmering leaf veins.

The leaves are arranged spirally on the individual shoots, and when they reach a certain size, an inflorescence emerges from their center, which can reach up to 25 cm in height. The flowers are small, brownish-red or white, and rather inconspicuous. After flowering, the shoot from which the inflorescence grew slowly dies back, but forms numerous runners which in turn grow to flowering size. Through this cycle, a single plant eventually forms dense mats, which looks absolutely stunning in a terrarium.

You will receive a strong, flowering plant in a 5cm round pot or 7cm square pot.