of which has yellow and red markings; Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. moluccana (Schltr.) Christenson which has a linear-oblong labellum middle lobe, with a slight dilation at its base where there are yellow and white markings; Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii (F.M.Bailey) Christenson which has a relatively short, triangular labellum middle lobe where the markings are yellow; In Australia, subspecies rosenstromii is recognised as Phalaenopsis rosenstromii by the Australian Plant Census. It was discovered by Gus Rosenstrom "on trees, high from the ground, Daintree River" and was first formally described by Frederick Manson Bailey who published the description in the Queensland Agricultural Journal. Distribution and habitat Phalaenopsis amabilis usually grows on trees, rarely on rocks, in rainforest where the humidity is high but there is free air movement. Subspecies amabilis has the widest distribution and occurs from Palawan in the southern Philippines to Borneo, Sumatra and Java. Subspecies moluccana is separated from subspecies amabilis by the Wallace Line and is found in Sulawesi as well as Seram and Buru in the Moluccas. Subspecies rosenstromii is native to New Guinea and Australia where it occurs on the Cape York Peninsula between the Iron Range and the Paluma Range National Park. It is separated from subspecies moluccana by Lydekker's Line. Conservation Phalaenopsis rosenstromii was listed as "endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 but the listing was updated to Phalaenopsis amabilis subsp. rosenstromii in May 2016. The main threat to the subspecies in Australia is illegal collecting. Use in horticulture Phalaenopsis amabilis is reported to be very easy to grow as a houseplant, as long as attention is paid to a correct feeding and watering regimen. It thrives in a domestic temperature range of , in bright indirect light such as that offered by an east- or west-facing window. Specialist orchid compost and feed is widely available. Species and cultivars in the genus Phalaenopsis are recommended for beginners. In cultivation in the United Kingdom, Phalaenopsis amabilis has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Importance Phalaenopsis amabilis ( meaning "moon orchid") is one of the three national flowers in Indonesia, the other two being the sambac jasmine and padma raksasa. It was officially recognized as national "flower of charm" () in Presidential Decree No. 4 in 1993. The orchid is also the official flower of Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia. References External links amabilis Orchids