CHENNAI:Orchids are known for their beautiful, long-lasting blooms. Fossil evidences reveal that Orchids existed on Earth for over 100 million years.Orchids either grown as ground orchids or epiphytic orchids, which grows on host trees. The epiphytic orchids have special type of roots called velamen roots, through which they absorb atmospheric moisture and nutrients. Few species of orchids are also known for their medicinal uses. One such epiphytic orchid is Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume belonging to Orchidaceae family. It is popularly known as Fox-tail orchid.
Fox-tail orchid grows from 30 to 50 cm tall, with stout stems and many clinging roots. Leaves distichous, fleshy, deeply grooved, up to 30 cm long and 3 cm broad, 2-fid at apex. Inflorescence a raceme, pendulous, up to 30 cm long. Flowers many, compactly arranged in all directions, the lower lip pink in colour; the upper lips white with pink spots. The fruits are dehiscing capsules, 3 cm long and 1.5 cm broad, tapering towards base. This species is found hanging on tree trunks in open dry and moist deciduous forests of Western Ghats, North-East Indian states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh up to 1,300 m above sea level.
Fox-tail orchids are used predominantly against asthma, nervous twitching, kidney stones and menstrual disorder. Their roots are traded in the name of rasna and are used to treat rheumatism. Popularly known as Kopou phool in Assam, this orchid species takes prime place in the Assamese culture, hence adopted as the State flower of Assam. Government of India has also included this species in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list due its declining population in the wild.