Platanthera edgeworthii Riddhi Habenaria edgeworthii

Platanthera edgeworthii (Hook.f. ex Collett) R.K.Gupta
Family: Orchidaceae
Synonyms: Platantheroides edgeworthii (Hook.f. ex Collett) Szlach., Habenaria edgeworthii Hook.f. ex Collett, Habenella edgeworthii (Hook.f. ex Collett) Szlach. & Kras-Lap.

Hindi: ऋद्धि Riddhi
Tamil: Riddhi ரித்தி
Malayalam: Riddhi
Telugu: Riddhi రిద్ధి
Kannada: Riddhi
Sanskrit: ऋद्धि Riddhi

Plants up to 50(-75) cm, with rather small, ± sessile tuberoids. Stem leafy, somewhat flexuous. Leaves (2-)3-4, sheathing, the second largest, to 6-10 x 4.5 cm, ovate to ovate-lanceolate. Inflorescence cylindrical, up to 20(-25) cm long, 3 cm broad, dense. Bracts lanceolate, ± equalling the ovary in length. Flowers yellow and green, deflexed in bud. Sepals green, margins ciliolate, the dorsal broader than long, broadly ovate 3-4 x 4-5 mm, the lateral sepals somewhat larger, oblong, 5-6 mm long, ± deflexed; petals bright yellow, sometimes greenish-yellow, thick, obliquely triangular from c. 4 mm broad base, 5(-6) mm long, curved inwards and forming a hood with dorsal sepal. Labellum entire, 7-9 mm long, strap-shaped, bright yellow, its base forming a 1-1.5 mm broad, slightly chanelled claw, the anterior portion ± abruptly deflexed, 5-6 mm long, c.l mm broad, on the flexion with a distinct transverse gibbosity. Spur longer than ovary, to 1.5-2.5 cm, spreading and directed upwards, usually hooked downwards towards the tip. Column 2-3 mm, anther canals short, stigmatic processes short, oblong. Ovary twisted, glabrous 

Uses: Nervine and cardiac tonic.

Published articles:

1. In vitro production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in callus suspension cultures of Habenaria edgeworthii: A rare Himalayan medicinal orchid
Giri, Lalit; Dhyani, Praveen; Rawat, Sandeep; et al. - INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS  Volume: 39   Pages: 1-6   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.01.024   Published: SEP 2012

2. Promoting Conservation and Sustainable Use of Rare Species of Himalayan Orchid Habenaria edgeworthii Through In Vitro Propagation
Giri, L.; Jugran, A.; Bhatt, I. D.; et al. - IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-ANIMAL  Volume: 48   Supplement: 1   Pages: 62-62   Published: JUL 2012

3.  In vitro propagation, genetic and phytochemical assessment of Habenaria edgeworthii: an important Astavarga plant
Author(s): Giri, Lalit; Jugran, Arun; Rawat, Sandeep; et al.
ACTA PHYSIOLOGIAE PLANTARUM  Volume: 34   Issue: 3   Pages: 869-875   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0884-8   Published: MAY 2012

4. ASTAVARGA 1. PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES ON HABENARIA-EDGEWORTHII RIDDHI-VRIDDHI
LAL V K; KHOSA R L; WAHI A K - Indian Journal of Botany  Volume: 3   Issue: 1   Pages: 18-23   Published: 1980