Received: 16-06-2023 / Accepted: 20-11-2023
Aerides odorataLour. - a popular ornamental plant with medicinal value - belongs to the genus Aerides, which has pale green flowers with cinnamon fragrance. The present research is the first detailed study on thebotanical characteristicsand growth of A. odorata, creating the basis foridentification, conservation, hybridization and selection of this species. The experiment was arranged in sequential blocks without repetition. The results show that A. odoratahas epiphytic root divided into two parts with distinctly different colors including the root tip and absorption zone with 19.3 vascular bundles per root. Stems are green, vascular bundles of stem scattered with 192.2 bundles and their size ranged 0.17-0.2 ×0.25-0.27mm. Leaf tissue microdissection shows round and oval mesophyll cells, lateral veined vascular bundles located in the center of the leaf blade and midrib veined vascular bundle located at one-third of the leaf blade towards the lower epidermis; the size of the midrib vascular bundle is 0.19 ×0.25mm. Racemose inflorescences ranges between 20-42cm in length with 15-36 flowers/inflorescence with drop shape. Flowers are pale green then turn to white, fragrant, ranging 2.8-3.5cm in diameter. Inflorescences appear in late July to August, bloom in September and end flowering in early November with 1-2 inflorescence/plant; flower longevity was 10-13 days and inflorescence longevity lasted 25-35 days.