The Orchid of the Samurai

by Sean Eaton

Although dismaying to those still struggling to get their first orchids to bloom at least once, a number of orchids have been successfully cultivated for centuries. As a result of their long association with various societies come and gone, quite a few have interesting histories. One of these is Neofinetia falcata, sometimes called the Japanese Wind Orchid, or the Samurai's Orchid.      The plant is named after Achille Finet (1862-1913) a French botanist who worked with the orchids of China and Japan. It was discovered growing in Japan by Carl Thunberg and described by him in his book Flora Japonica in 1784. But the plant is also described in an earlier Japanese work in 1728, during the reign of Cheng-te. Called Igansai-ranpin, by Jo-an Matsuoka, it contains descriptions and wood block illustrations of Neofinetia, along with several other orchids, such as Cymbidium, Aerides, Dendrobium, and Bletilla.

There is a strong connection between this plant and Samurai culture. Merle A. Reinikka writes, in A History of the Orchid, "Samurai warriors grew Neofinetia falcata, known eulogistically as 'an orchid of wealth and nobility'. Many of the feudal lords were also very attached to this species, and the tale is told that they carried the plants with them on journeys between Edo, (now Tokyo) and their own dominions." Reportedly, the plant was also a sign of the Samurai warrior's bravery, prowess and training, for he would cross treacherous waters to wilderness islands where the orchid grew abundantly, bringing one back to public acclaim.

     Neofinetia is a monotypic genus with only one representative species--falcata--to its name. The plant can be found in subtropical areas of China and Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, and Korea. It is a member of the Vandoideae subfamily, the tribe Vandaea, and the subtribe Sarcanthinae. This may give some idea of who its nearest relatives among orchids might be. The plant has actually had several different names over time, owing to its similarities to other orchids in its subtribe. For example, it was once known as Angraecum falcatum. Dressler, in his book The Orchids, uses it as an instance of what he calls convergence. Comparing this orchid's appearance to Amesiella phillipinensis, he writes, "In convergence we find that adaptation to a similar habitat or life-style has led to parallelism in several different features...it is convergence between closely related species or genera that fools even the experts." (Both of these plants resemble Angraecum in showing adaptations for pollination by moths.) Neofinetia is variable in size, ranging from three inches to six inches or so in height, monopodial, with flat, keeled, needle-like leaves about two to four inches long, (imagine a fairly small Angraecum or strap-leaved Vanda). The plant is freely branching, and forms multiple clumps at the axils of the lower leaves.

     So much for the foliage. If one is successful with this plant, it will produce five or six interesting flowers on short spikes, perhaps on more than one spike. The flowers are pure white, about 1" inches across, with dorsal sepals and petals that flare outward, lateral sepals that curve down and out, and a short three-lobed lip that turns downward beneath the column. What makes them appear especially graceful and refined is the spur or nectary, about 2" inches long, which curls backward and down from base of the flowers. In other words, it's beautiful. Not only are the flowers of Neofinetia falcata attractive in form, they are also sweetly fragrant, especially in the evening. Reportedly, they are capable of perfuming an entire room or greenhouse with the scent of vanilla. Though we might enjoy the form and fragrance of this orchid, it is humbling to realize that the plant originally developed these qualities to attract large lepidoptera to assist with pollination.

     The plant can be grown in a small pot or basket, in a medium of tree fern or bark mix. According to one newsgroup respondent, it is often grown as a houseplant in Korea, fastened to a mound of sphagnum moss created by wrapping the moss around an inverted pot--this is set inside another pot so the plant appears to sit on top of a "moss mountain" for a landscaping effect. Neofinetia falcata will thrive in bright diffuse light, approximately 1000-1500 foot candles. One authority claims that they will still bloom in moderate shade, at intensities as low as 500 foot candles, but will grow more rapidly and productively at the higher levels. They can be grown successfully under fluorescent lights and on windowsills. The plant enjoys humid conditions, and plenty of water when the roots are showing growth. Some authors recommend tapering off watering at the close of a growth cycle. In terms of temperature, it likes the cool side of the intermediate range, with night temperatures no lower than 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If all goes well, flowers should appear in the summer or early fall.

     Several interesting hybrids have been developed. Neofinetia has been crossed with Ascocentrum to make Ascofinetia, dwarf plants which bloom several times a year. It has also been crossed with Vanda and Ascocentrum to make Nakamotoara, also a dwarf, but with less fragrance. Other crosses include those with Aerides, Phalaenopsis, and Renanthera. Finally, a cross with Rhynchostylis coelestis produced Neostylis, (e.g. 'Lou Sneary'), a hybrid that retains the small size and sweet fragrance of the species, is easy to grow, and blooms in summer with medium light and intermediate temperatures.

     One newsgroup respondent reported that there also exist some very rare Japanese clones with variegated foliage. Neofinetia falcata is relatively inexpensive and frequently offered in various mail order catalogs. Prices for blooming sized plants range from ten to eighteen dollars. This author aims to get one as soon as possible. The following sources were very helpful in the writing of this article, as well as being good sources of general information:

All About Orchids, by Charles Marden Fitch
The Manual of Cultivated Orchid Species, by Helmut Bechtel, et. al.
The Orchids, by Robert L. Dressler
Miniature Orchids and How to Grow Them, by Rebecca Tyson Northern
A History of the Orchid, by Merle A. Reinikka
Taylor's Guide to Orchids, by Judy White