Wild Orchids ‹‹ Go Back

The name Acampe is derived from the Greek word akampas, meaning rigid, referring to the little and brittle, inflexible flowers. Other than the above species there are two other species found in the country that belong to the genus Acampe and they are all epiphytic orchids growing on large branches of trees. The status of both A. rigida and A. ochracea are considered vulnerable in the National Red Data List. The conservation status of the species under reference is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012). Acampe praemorsa is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.

Other than in Sri Lanka this species is found in India, Burma and Thailand. In Sri Lanka I have observed this species growing on the large trees that grows along the roads in the wet zone, intermediate and in the dry zone. Avissawella, Ratnapura, Bibile, Kandy, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Mannar are some of the locations where I have seen this species.

In Wilpattu I have observed this species bloom in November at Illanda Mottai.