Practical
Plants

Bletilla striata

Hyacinth Orchid

a member of the Bletilla genus in the family Orchidaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.25 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The hyacinth orchid is an important wound herb in China, where it has been used medicinally for over 1,500 years[8]. The root (actually a pseudobulb) is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, demulcent, pectoral, skin, styptic and vulnerary[2][3][4]. It is taken internally in the treatment of haemorrhages of the stomach or lungs, uterine bleeding and nose bleeds[8]. It is particularly effective against the endotoxin produced by Haemophilus pertusis in whooping cough[3]. Externally, it is mixed with sesame oil and applied as a poultice to burns, cuts, abscesses and sores[8]. The pseudobulbs are harvested when the plant is dormant and are dried for use in decoctions and powders[8].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Styptic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bulb is mucilaginous, it is used as a size to impart a glossiness to ink and also to make an invisible ink (seen by wetting the paper and holding it up to the light)[4].

Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Size

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Grassy slopes in foothills, C. and S. Japan[9]. In sandy soils amongst grassy patches on cool mountain slopes in China[2]. Margins of woods and thickets[6].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from decaying material in the soil[5]. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on until they are large enough to move. Division in autumn. Make sure that you keep plenty of soil with each plant. It is also said to be possible to transplant orchids after they have flowered but whilst they are still in leaf. Division is best carried out in the spring[6]. Each division should have a leading point and two, or preferably three, pseudobulbs/joints of the rhizome[6]. More propagating material can be obtained by cutting halfway through the rhizome during the previous growing season at the point where you wish to divide[6]. This will stimulate the production of growth buds at the point of division[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a friable, damp but well-drained soil enriched with leafmold[5]. Dislikes wet soils[5]. Requires shade from the midday sun[1]. Plants prefer a sheltered position in light shade, also succeeding in full sun in humus-rich soils[6]. Plants are hardy in favoured localities in Britain but they usually require greenhouse protection in this country[1]. Plants have grown well at Kew Botanical gardens, where they have formed large colonies[6]. Apply a good organic mulch in the late autumn or lift the bulbs and store them dry in a frost free place[5]. Plant out in spring and only just cover the bulb[5]. This species is cultivated in China as a medicinal plant[8]. Grows well with ferns in a woodland setting[5]. Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid[6]. Plant the tubers no more than 5cm deep in the soil[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Cribb. P. & Bailes. C. Hardy Orchids. Orchids for the Garden and Frost-free Greenhouse. Christopher Helm. London. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0 7470 0416 1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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