Description
Chloraea praecincta (also called Precious Orchid, among many other common names) is a species of orchid native to the Andes Mountains of South America. It grows in moist, shady areas, such as cloud forests. It has long, thin leaves and a single, long stem that produces a single, small, white flower.
Uses & Benefits
Chloraea praecincta is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a source of food for livestock. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat fever, headaches, and other ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Chloraea praecincta is a small, yellowish-white flower head, with a single floret at the tip of each branch. The seed is a small, dark brown, oval-shaped seed. The seedlings are small, slender, and have a single, long, narrow leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Chloraea praecincta can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in a cold frame in the spring or autumn. When large enough to handle, seedlings should be potted up into individual pots and grown on in a cold frame for their first winter. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be divided with a spade.