This botanical orchid species has a wide distribution, from northern India to southeast Asia, north of southwest China and south to Malaysia and Indonesia. In China, Ludisia Discolor inhabits swampy areas in forests, at altitudes between 950 - 1000 m, in the provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan. There are reports of the species in many mountainous regions of Vietnam, from Cha Pa, in the north, to Dalat, in the south, but only one of the locations includes altitudinal indications, the species being found at 1200 m.

Currently, two variants of the species are known, namely Ludisia discolor "Alba" , an albino variety, and Ludisia discolor "Nigricens" , a mutation commonly found under the name " black velvet ".

Dubbed the jewel orchid, Ludisia Discolor is historically known with the following synonyms: Anoectochilus dawsonianus, Anoectochilus ordeanus, Anoectochilus ordianus, Gonogona discolor, Goodyera dawsoniana, Goodyera discolor, Goodyera ordeana, Goodyera ordiana, Goodyera rodigasciana, Goodyera rubrovenia, Haemaria dawsoniana, Haemaria discolor, Haemaria discolor var. concolor, Haemaria discolor var. condorensis, Haemaria discolor var. dawsoniana, Haemaria discolor var. denisoniana, Haemaria discolor var. grandis, Haemaria discolor var. ordeana, Haemaria discolor var. rhodoneura, Haemaria discolor var. trilineata, Haemaria otletae, Haemaria pauciflora, Haemaria rubrovenia, Kuhlhasseltia carrii, Ludisia dawsoniana, Ludisia discolor var. ordiana, Ludisia furetii, Ludisia odorata, Ludisia otletae, Myoda rufescens, Neottia discolor, Orchiodes discolor, being described by Achille Richard (French botanist and doctor, April 27, 1794 - October 5, 1852) in 1825.

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A small species, Ludisia Discolor rarely exceeds more than 15 cm in height without pseudobulbs. It prefers warm to very warm climates , which it occupies in terrestrial or lithophile stations, where the fleshy, reddish, contorted, erect or pendulous stems reach 20 - 25 cm long and bear elliptic lanceolate leaves, over 7.5 cm long and 4 .3 cm wide, dark red, velvety, with strongly contrasting veins, white.

Flowering takes place in the apical area of ​​the stems, in the form of long, relatively racemose inflorescences (in the form of bunches), 10 - 30 cm long, with white, asymmetric flowers, which persist for 2 to 3 weeks. The white flowers, about 2 cm in diameter, with a pollen chamber colored in light yellow and petals about 1 cm long and 0.5 - 0.7 cm wide; it has the shape of a cup, with the lip twisted counterclockwise.

From the point of view of cultivation requirements , Ludisia discolor requires light intensities of 8000 - 10000 lx, which places it in the category of shade plants - the light will be filtered and dispersed , and the plant will never be exposed to direct light. It is also necessary to permanently ensure a strong air circulation.

The thermophilic plant requires that the average temperature during the summer days be around 27 °C, and that during the night should not exceed 21 - 22 °C. In winter, the average temperature during the day should be 15 - 18 °C and in winter 9 - 12 °C.

The relative humidity will be quite high, with values ​​between 85 - 90% throughout the year.

The occasional terricola species, with sudden port, Ludisia discolor, will prefer slightly deep containers, with generous drainage, and loose, quick-drying substrate - such as medium-grained bark or dry plant fibers. Other indicated materials, which retain moisture, such as perlite, or cut sphagnum moss, can occasionally be added to the culture medium. Another important element is charcoal, which ensures air permeability and reduces acidity. Changing the substrate is necessary when the beginning of its decomposition is noticed. If the substrate is changed at the time of new roots growth, the guaranteed success of rooting and installation in the new growth environment can be ensured in the shortest possible time. Reproduction of the species by stem fragments is relatively easy.

Watering will follow the natural environmental conditions, where heavy rains are frequent, with only 2-3 months of drier climate in winter. Cultivated specimens will be watered frequently , but care will be taken to allow the upper layer of the substrate to dry between two successive waterings, and not to allow the water to pool in the culture containers. When the new growths reach maturity, in September, the intensity of watering will be gradually reduced.

Fertilization must take place during the period of active growth, weekly, with 25 - 50% of the recommended dilution. A balanced fertilizer can be used throughout the year, but it is recommended to use a fertilizer with added nitrogen from spring to mid-summer, and then, from the end of summer and during the fall, a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content .

The resting period for this species is during the winter, when watering will have to be gradually reduced, especially for specimens grown in colder climates, but caution is recommended not to allow the substrate to dry excessively or to remain dry for a long period of time time. During this period, fertilization will be reduced or will be completely stopped, but will be resumed with the arrival of spring, when watering will resume its normal routine.

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