Waling-waling

Vanda sanderiana
flower detail
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Vanda
Species:
V. sanderiana
Binomial name
Vanda sanderiana
(Rchb.f.) Rchb.f.[1]
distribution of Vanda sanderiana
Synonyms[1]
List
  • Euanthe sanderiana (Rchb.f.) Schlechter
  • Esmeralda sanderiana Rchb.f.
  • Euanthe sanderiana f. albata (Rchb.f.) M.Wolff & O.Gruss
  • Euanthe sanderiana f. immaculata (Golamco) Cootes
  • Vanda sanderiana var. albata Rchb.f.
  • Vanda sanderiana var. immaculata Golamco

Vanda sanderiana is a species of orchid. It is commonly called Waling-waling[2] in the Philippines and is also called Sander's Vanda,[3] after Henry Frederick Conrad Sander, a noted orchidologist. The orchid is considered to be the "Queen of Philippine flowers" and is worshiped as a diwata by the indigenous Bagobo people.

Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach named it as Vanda sanderiana.

It has two forms, pink and white, also referred to as alba. M. Roebelin discovered the original pink variety in the Philippines in 1881 or 1882. Rudolf Schlechter separated Euanthe from Vanda in 1914 due to structural differences in the flowers.[4] For breeding purposes and registration by the Royal Horticultural Society, however, it is still treated as a Vanda.[5]

Vanda sanderiana is endemic to Mindanao in the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga where it is found on the trunks of dipterocarp trees at elevations below 500 meters. Over-collected, the plant is considered rare in nature. It is often used in hybridization.[6]

Studies have shown that when raised at high altitude, the plant bears flowers early.

In 2004, a motion was filed in the House of Representatives of the Philippines to declare the Waling-waling as the country's national flower, replacing the Sampaguita.[7][8]

In 2013, a bill was passed by the Philippine Senate declaring the Waling-waling as a national flower alongside the Sampaguita.[9] However, the House Bill 5655 was vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III citing that other means were available to promote the protection and preservation of the orchid without declaring it a second national flower.[10]


  1. ^ a b "Vanda sanderiana (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Vanda sanderiana(Waling-waling Orchid)". Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  3. ^ "Vanda sanderiana [Rchb.f] Schlechter 1914". The Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  4. ^ "Plant of the Week 01/07/2002 Euanthe Sanderiana alba Schlechter". Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  5. ^ "Vanda Sanderiana at Fender's Flora Orchids". Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  6. ^ "Vanda sanderiana (plant)". Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  7. ^ "Legarda pushes for declaration of Waling-Waling as Nat'l Flower" (Press release). House of Representatives of the Philippines. January 31, 2013.
  8. ^ Palacio, Rose (4 February 2013). "Senate passes bill declaring Waling-waling nat'l flower alongside Sampaguita". Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  9. ^ "Senate passes bill declaring Waling-waling nat'l flower alongside Sampaguita". 4 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  10. ^ "Veto Message of President Aquino on House Bill No. 5655". Philippine Government. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2020. a second national flower has the pernicious effect of creating confusion in the minds of the public and the academe. Moreover, declaring the Waling Waling Orchid as the second national flower would have the effect of displacing the hallowed status of the Sampaguita, a cherished national icon, as the primary symbol of Philippine culture and artistry. Furthermore, there are other means to promote the protection and preservation of the Waling Waling Orchid without declaring it a second national flower.