Sanggumay - Enigmatic Orchid
"An orchid in a deep forest sends out its fragrance even if no one is around to appreciate it." - Confucius
Dr Abe V Rotor
Sanggumay Orchid and Mackie 6
Sanggumay orchid (Dendrobium anosmum) grows with dragon fruit
cactus clinging on coconut trunk. At home in QC 2018
Enigma in the plant kingdom, I say,
though topmost in the phylogeny;
its independence exchanged with fancy
at the border of reality and fantasy.
Dendrobium anosmum or Sanggumay is an epiphytic orchid, native to Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea.
The flowers are borne on leafless stems, each flower measuring about 8 cm, with mauve to purple petals, with a broad lip and a dark purple throat, exuding a characteristic raspberry fragrance. The flowering period is from February to April.
The word Sanggumay was derived from Tagalog root words: Sangsang which means nauseating ,overpowering, stench (smell), and “Umay” or ”Gumay” meaning tired-some, surfeit , satiety. (Internet)
Theophrastus (IV-III century B.C.), pupil of Aristotle and Plato and historically recognized as the greatest botanist of antiquity, immortalized Orchis in his Historia Plantarum, officially attributing this name to the flower species. He referenced the name to the rounded shape of the two “tubers” that make up the root system of most species of this flower, similar to human testes. This feature has helped fuel popular beliefs which credited them erroneously as aphrodisiacs and possessors of healing powers for female infertility. In Roman medicine, the orchid-based aphrodisiacs drinks were called Satyrion, named after the lustful satyrs. This aphrodisiac is mentioned twice in the Satyricon of Petronius. ~
No comments:
Post a Comment