Cleisostoma simondii is a flowering plant that grows upon larger trees, and known in Hong Kong as (Chinese:蜘蛛蘭). It also occurs in the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Assam), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and other parts of China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Yunnan).Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Cleisostoma simondiiFlora of China, v 25 p 463, 毛柱隔距兰 mao zhu ge ju lan, Cleisostoma simondii
Etymology The name "Cleisostoma" derives from the Greek words kleistos, meaning "closed" and "stoma" meaning "mouth".
Description Cleisostoma simondii grows to a length of or more, with numerous aerial roots that grow out of the stems. This hardy orchid grows thin, stem-like jointed leaves long that are fleshy, terete, linear year round, with the whole plant colors ranging from green to dark green under humid, low light conditions, to red to purple under drier more sunlit conditions. The flowers buds develop in late September, blooming long-lasting flowers from October to early November, on a spike up to long, composed from one to eleven flowers, averaging six to seven flowers, with each flower averaging 1.5 cm (15mm) in diameter.
Varieties Two varieties are recognized:
Cleisostoma simondii var. guangdongense Z.H.Tsi - Fujian, S Guangdong, Hainan Cleisostoma simondii var. simondii - Yunnan, Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Assam), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
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