Neofinetia Falcata

Neofinetia falcata (fuuran/fukiran), the windmill orchid, is a small epiphytic orchid native to rocky hillsides and old trees in Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and southern China. Plants grow 5–15 cm with neatly two-ranked narrow leathery leaves. The pure white flowers, 1–2 cm across with a long curved spur, are borne in summer (June–August) and emit a strong, sweet jasmine-like fragrance at night. Cultivated in Japan since the Edo period, selected variants with striped, margined, or tiger-spotted leaves command very high prices as prestige classical horticultural items. The species tolerates near-freezing winter temperatures; outdoor cultivation is feasible in temperate Japan. Sphagnum pots or mounted culture on cork or driftwood are standard methods.

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