World's largest Orchid blooms at Peradeniya Botanical Gardens after 16 years

A cluster of blooms on the 'Giant Orchid,' considered the world's largest orchid plant, has flowered at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens after roughly 16 years.

This giant orchid plant, scientifically known as Grammatophyllum speciosum, holds the record as the largest orchid species in the world.

Commenting on this, Iroshini Andradi, Head of the Orchid Division at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, said that this giant orchid species was last seen in bloom at the gardens around 2010.

"The plant that has flowered now was one planted in 2022. This is the first time that particular plant has bloomed. Since such flowering is extremely rare, this is a very rare opportunity for both local and foreign visitors," she said.

This orchid species is mainly found across Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.

A fully grown giant orchid plant can weigh as much as a tonne (1,000 kg), and produces large flower spikes that can grow to a height of 2 to 3 metres.

This plant typically blooms only once every four years or so, with flowering strongly influenced by environmental and climatic conditions.

Director General of the Department of National Botanic Gardens, H.C.P. Jayaweera, stated that all local and foreign tourists and members of the public are invited to come and view this giant orchid bloom that has flowered at the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens.