Dossinia marmorata

Dossinia marmorata Jewel Orchid is a captivating terrestrial orchid native to Borneo, prized for its lush, velvety foliage adorned with intricate metallic veining that ranges from silver to gold or pink. Ideal for terrariums and vivariums, it's a compact gem that brings tropical elegance to enclosed environments.

Features:

• Botanical Background

  • The sole species in its genus, Dossinia marmorata (syn. Macodes marmorata, Anoectochilus lowii), was first described in 1848 and remains endemic to Borneo.

  • It grows naturally among moss and leaf litter in shaded, humid limestone forests up to ~400 m elevation.

• Foliage

  • Features a creeping rhizome with a rosette of 3–5 fleshy, elliptic leaves. The tops are deep green to nearly black with shimmering silver-gold-pink reticulate veins; undersides may be pinkish-purple.

• Size

  • Typically reaches 10–20 cm in height—perfect for small enclosures.

• Flowers

  • Blooms in summer with small white or pale green-brown flowers on slender spikes, but the foliage remains the main attraction.

Care Tips:

• Light: Prefers low to moderate indirect light; avoid direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.

• Humidity: Requires high humidity levels, ideally above 60%, making it perfect for a terrarium.

• Temperature: Thrives in warm environments; temperatures between 18°C and 28°C (64°F–82°F) are ideal.

• Watering: Keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged; use distilled or rainwater to prevent mineral buildup.