Scientific name: Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume

Family: Orchidaceae

Synonym:  Aerides retusa (L.) Sw.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Shial leza orchid.

English name: Fox tail orchid.

Description of the plant: A stout epiphytic herb, with long thick spreading roots. Leaves thick, leathery, alternate, distichous, 15-20 cm long, dense, linear, sharply-pointed praemorse at the apex, sheathing at the base. Inflorescence long, drooping racemes, 32-41 cm long, axillary. Flowers 1-8 cm across, densely arranged, pinkish. Sepals and petals white with a faint pinkish tinge. Capsule long, oblong-obovoid, more or less ridged.

Rhynchostylis retusa

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Leaves of the plant are used for the treatment of blood dysentery, menstrual disorders, fever, and gout.

Fresh juice is extracted from the leaves of the plant is applied on the infected skin twice a day for three days to treat skin disease.

Juice extracted from the leaves of the plant is administered for the treatment of asthma, tuberculosis, and epilepsy.

Paste prepared from leaves of the plant is applied to treat rheumatism.

Juice extracted from leaves of the plant is applied to treat cuts and wounds. 

Distribution: The species is distributed throughout the country but more abundent in hilly areas.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

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