Leaves from Phalaenopsis

When not in flower, one of the most striking morphologies are the leaves exhibited by different Phalaenopsis species. In fact, some species from the section Aphyllae that occur at cooler regions in Asia are deciduous and will drop their leaves in the winter -- Phal. wilsonii and Phal. natmataungensis come to mind.

For species that retain their leaves, differences in color, size, shape and leaf patterning/mottling are indicative of some species. For example, Phal. gigantea leaves have a silvery, light green hue to it that is quite distinct, while Phal. stuartiana and Phal. lindenii have distinguishable shape and mottled leaf patterns. The last example in this series is a primary hybrid, Phal. Gretchen, that exhibits hybrid vigor and a recognizably intermediate leaf morphology.

Phalaenopsis gigantea

Phalaenopsis stuartiana f. nobilis (currently in buds)

Phalaenopsis lindenii

Phalaenopsis Gretchen (P. gigantea x P. stuartiana)

Phalaenopsis Gretchen with representative parents to show the intermediate leaf phenotype.