A very interesting fun fact:

The well-known Liodoro orchid—an exceptional plant whose full name is Phalaenopsis Sweet Memory Liodoro—is officially registered as a hybrid of Phalaenopsis Deventeriana × Phalaenopsis violacea.

However, there are persistent rumors that its true parentage is actually Phalaenopsis Deventeriana × bellina, arguably one of the most beautiful species orchids—which would neatly explain its name. Let’s take a closer look.

Before its reclassification, bellina was long considered Phalaenopsis violacea var. Borneo. Liodoro, on the other hand, was registered as a hybrid before bellina was formally renamed. As a result, it would have been quite easy for bellina to have been used as a primary parent of Liodoro—without anyone realizing the distinction at the time.

Secondly, if one examines well-known primary hybrids of bellina, the similarities are striking. In fact, Liodoro itself could very easily be mistaken for a bellina. By contrast, when one looks at violacea hybrids, the differences are pronounced and unmistakable.

Third—and perhaps most telling—Liodoro is famous for its exquisite fragrance. Liodoro is consistently described as having a sweet, citrus-forward fragrance, often characterized by lemony and fresh notes. Phalaenopsis bellina is likewise known for a similar sweet, citrus-dominant scent profile. In contrast, Phalaenopsis violacea typically exhibits a sharper, spicier fragrance, frequently described as warm or hot, with cinnamon-like undertones. So the question remains: where does Liodoro’s sweet, citrus-like fragrance truly come from? A magnificent plant, with a long—and, it seems, intriguingly mysterious—genetic history.