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Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume

Moon orchid

Native records: 10 botanical areas

Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Jawa, 7 more areas

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Natural distribution

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Distribution is shown as WGSRPD Level 3 areas. It does not imply the species occurs throughout an entire area.

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Distribution last verified:

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Photograph of Phalaenopsis amabilis

The type species of the moth-orchid genus Phalaenopsis: an epiphytic orchid bearing long-lasting, flat white flowers. Native to tropical forests from Southeast Asia to northeastern Australia, it is the ancestral parent behind the white moth orchids grown worldwide as houseplants.

Description

A perennial orchid that grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and branches (occasionally on rock) in humid tropical forest. It spreads a few broad, thick, fleshy leaves and sends out stout aerial roots. On long arching stems it carries several flat, pure-white flowers that last for weeks; the lip is marked with yellow at the base and tapers into slender antenna-like tips. The genus name Phalaenopsis, from the Greek phalaina (moth) and opsis (resembling), was inspired by the moth-like flowers of this species. Wild flowers are around 7 cm across, but its use as a foundation parent has produced countless larger, multicoloured cultivars, making it the archetype of the potted 'moth orchid'.

Habitat

Native to humid, lowland tropical rainforest from the Philippines through Malesia and Papuasia to northeastern Australia. It grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and branches (occasionally as a lithophyte on rock), favouring warm, humid, bright-shade conditions.

Distribution areas

  • Australia

    • QueenslandNative

  • Brunei Darussalam

    • BorneoNative

  • Indonesia

    • BorneoNative
    • JawaNative
    • Lesser Sunda Is.Native
    • MalukuNative
    • New GuineaNative
    • SulawesiNative
    • SumateraNative

  • Malaysia

    • BorneoNative

  • Papua New Guinea

    • Bismarck ArchipelagoNative
    • New GuineaNative

  • Philippines

    • PhilippinesNative

  • Timor-Leste

    • Lesser Sunda Is.Native

Climate of the native range

The Köppen climate classes found in the areas this plant is recorded as native to. It does not mean an entire area has that climate.

  • Af Tropical, rainforest
  • Aw Tropical, savannah
  • BSh Arid, steppe, hot
  • Am Tropical, monsoon
  • BWh Arid, desert, hot
  • Cfb Temperate, no dry season, warm summer

The same climate occurs in 187 areas worldwide, 177 of which have no record of this plant. See them on the map

A matching climate does not mean the plant can grow there. Range limits are also set by things other than climate — dispersal history, soils, competition. Source: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0 (observed period 1991–2020).

Recorded medicinal uses

The cited source records medicinal use of this plant. It is not an assessment of efficacy or safety.

  • Phalaenopsis amabilis is recorded as used medicinally.

    Source location: p.67, left column, line 59

    World Checklist of Useful Plant Species · Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity (KNB) · CC BY 4.0 · source version: wcups-2020-62602715

    Open source

Other names

Moon orchid、Mariposa orchid、Moth orchid

Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Phalaenopsis

Other species in Phalaenopsis

Sources

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Australia · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Brunei Darussalam · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Indonesia · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Malaysia · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Philippines · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Papua New Guinea · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

  • World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), version 2026-06-04

    Timor-Leste · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · wcvp_distribution.csv

    Open source

Image information