Anggrek nerah, Bunga karang
Renanthera moluccana
Family: Orchidaceae
What it is like
An orchid. It is a herb which grows attached to other plants. It has aerial roots. The stem is woody and 9-10 mm across. The internodes are 2-4 cm long. The leaves have tubular sheaths. These sheaths are 2-2.5 cm long and can be overlapping. The leaf blade is oval and 6.5-13 cm long by 2.5-4 cm wide. It is soft and does not have a distinct edge. The flowers are on panicles in the axils of leaves. These can be 50 cm long. There can be 5 branches and several flowers. The flowers are red but more pale inside. The lip has 3 lobes. The fruit is an angular capsule. It is about 4 cm long by 5 mm wide.
There are about 15 Renanthera species. They occur from India to the Philippines.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs along the edges of fresh lagoons. It grows from sea level up to 800 m altitude. They need temperatures above 12°C.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The leaves of those growing near the sea are used as flavouring. They are sour and used a a flavouring or spice and are also pickled.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings with at least 3 roots attached.