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The Families of Angiosperms

L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz

Orchidaceae Juss.

Alternatively Orchidaceae-Monandrae

Including Limodoraceae Horan., Thyridiaceae Dulac, Vanillaceae Lindl.; excluding Apostasiaceae, Cypripediaceae.

Habit and leaf form. Herbs (of diverse forms). ‘Normal’ plants, or switch-plants, or plants of very peculiar vegetative form (some producing but a single leaf, some achlorophyllous, three species completely subterranean (Rhizanthella)); sometimes with the principal photosynthesizing function transferred to stems, or ‘cactoid’, with succulent, photosynthetic stems; sometimes neotenic. Leaves well developed, or much reduced, or absent (sometimes). Plants succulent (often), or non-succulent; usually at least ostensibly autotrophic, or parasitic; if "parasitic", initially endomycorrhizal as a 'protocorm', usually subsequently becoming green and ectomycorrhizal mycoheterotrophic; when mature, green and photosynthesizing, or not green. Perennial; with a basal aggregation of leaves, or without conspicuous aggregations of leaves; cormous, or rhizomatous, or tuberous, or pseudobulbaceous. Self supporting, or epiphytic (predominantly), or climbing (many Vanilloideae). Helophytic, or mesophytic, or xerophytic. Leaves persistent, or deciduous (commonly so in Orchidoideae); small to large; alternate (usually), or opposite (rarely), or whorled (rarely); spiral, or distichous; flat, or folded, or rolled, or terete; ‘herbaceous’, or leathery, or fleshy, or membranous; imbricate, or not imbricate; petiolate; sheathing. Leaf sheaths tubular. Leaves with blades borne edgewise to the stem, or with blades ‘normally orientated’; simple; often jointed at the hase of the blade. Lamina entire; generally linear, or lanceolate, or oblong, or ovate; parallel-veined (but rarely distally pseudo-palmate - e.g. in Nervilia); cross-venulate (usually), or without cross-venules; auriculate at the base, or cordate, or hastate, or sagittate, or attenuate to the base, or cuneate at the base, or oblique at the base, or rounded at the base. Lamina margins usually entire. Vernation conduplicate, or plicate, or convolute.

General anatomy. Plants with silica bodies (in idioblastic ‘stegmata’, which are ‘present in the leaves of many genera’).

Leaf anatomy. The leaf lamina dorsiventral (at least mostly). Epidermis containing silica bodies, or without silica bodies (?). Stomata present; anomocytic, or paracytic. The mesophyll containing mucilage cells (with raphides), or not containing mucilage cells; containing crystals. The crystals raphides. Foliar vessels present (but sought in only two genera); with scalariform end-walls. Minor leaf veins without phloem transfer cells (Epipactis, Listera).

Axial (stem, wood) anatomy. Secondary thickening absent. The axial xylem with vessels (in 9 of the 15 genera listed by Wagner, 1977), or without vessels.

The vessel end-walls scalariform.

Root anatomy. Roots with velamen (in epiphytic forms), or without velamen. Root xylem with vessels (in the 4 genera where sought); vessel end-walls simple (in Vanilla, the only genus recorded for this feature by Wagner 1977).

Reproductive type, pollination. Unisexual flowers absent. Plants usually hermaphrodite. Floral nectaries present (but no septal nectaries). Nectar secretion from the perianth, or from the gynoecium (extrafloral nectaries also widespread). Pollination entomophilous (overwhelmingly, but the original description of the monotypic genus Crybe implies it may be cleistogamous); mechanism conspicuously specialized (in great variety, with complex morphological adaptations to the behaviour of pollinators, and often involving hygroscopic movements of pollinia).

Inflorescence, floral, fruit and seed morphology. Flowers solitary, or aggregated in ‘inflorescences’; when aggregated, in panicles, or in racemes, or in spikes, or in heads, or in umbels. The ultimate inflorescence units racemose. Inflorescences scapiflorous, or not scapiflorous; terminal, or axillary. Flowers small to large; fragrant, or odourless; very irregular; zygomorphic (the inner median member being generally enlarged and different in colour, forming the characteristic labellum — this being posterior (adaxial) in origin, but usually appearing anterior (abaxial) through torsion of the pedicel); resupinate (usually), or not resupinate (in Orthopenthea, some species of Disa, Anochilus, Herschelianthe, Prasophyllum, etc.). The floral irregularity involving the perianth and involving the androecium. Flowers 3 merous; cyclic; supposedly basically pentacyclic. Perigone tube absent.

Perianth of ‘tepals’ (usually), or with distinct calyx and corolla (the outer members sometimes green); 6; free, or joined (two or more tepals often coherent at the base, sometimes adherent to the gynoecium); 2 whorled; isomerous (but zygomorphic); petaloid, or sepaloid and petaloid; without spots, or spotted (occasionally). Tepal apex trichomes (TAT) absent (25 genera). Calyx (if the outer whorl be so designated) 3 (the median member usually ostensibly posterior); 1 whorled; polysepalous, or partially gamosepalous, or gamosepalous. Corolla (i.e. the members of the inner whorl) 3; polypetalous, or partially gamopetalous, or gamopetalous; imbricate; (labellum) spurred (often), or not spurred.

Androecium 3. Androecial members free of the perianth, or adnate (via fusion of tepals and gynostemium); united with the gynoecium (nearly always fused with the style to form a ‘gynostemium’, except in rare cases when anthers and stigma are more or less sessile); coherent (via the gynostemium); 1 adelphous; theoretically 2 whorled. Androecium including staminodes. Staminodes 2 (these morphologically anterior (usually ostensibly posterior), supposedly the abaxial pair of the inner whorl); theoretically internal to the fertile stamens. Stamens 1 (this across the flower from the labellum, i.e. anterior but usually ostensibly posterior, supposedly representing the outer whorl); reduced in number relative to the adjacent perianth; alterniperianthial (i.e. with reference to the single stamen, across the flower from the labellum); filantherous, or with sessile anthers. Anthers dorsifixed to basifixed; dehiscing via longitudinal slits; introrse; tetrasporangiate; appendaged, or unappendaged. Endothecium developing fibrous thickenings. The endothecial thickenings spiral, or girdling. Anther epidermis persistent. Microsporogenesis simultaneous. The initial microspore tetrads tetrahedral, or isobilateral. Anther wall initially with one middle layer, or initially with more than one middle layer (1 or 2); of the ‘monocot’ type. Tapetum glandular. Pollen shed in aggregates (usually), or shed as single grains (monads known in about 17 genera); when in aggregates, in tetrads, or in the form of waxy pollinia (the single grains or tetrads held together by strands of sterile sporogenous material). Pollen grains aperturate (occasionally), or nonaperturate; when aperturate, 1 aperturate, or 3–4 aperturate (rarely); sulcate, or sulculate, or ulcerate, or porate, or foraminate; 2-celled (in 14 genera).

Gynoecium 3 carpelled. Carpels isomerous with the perianth. The pistil 1 celled. Gynoecium syncarpous; eu-syncarpous; inferior. Ovary 1 locular. The ‘odd’ carpel anterior (away from the labellum). Gynoecium stylate. Styles 1 (inflexed); apical. Stylar canal present. Stigmas 1; 3 lobed (but becoming much modified in form, the apex of the median lobe forming the ‘rostellum’); wet type; papillate; Group III type. Placentation parietal. Ovules not differentiated; in the single cavity 30–100 (i.e. very numerous); non-arillate; anatropous; bitegmic (usually), or unitegmic; tenuinucellate. Outer integument not contributing to the micropyle. Embryo-sac development Polygonum-type (mostly), or Allium-type. Antipodal cells formed, or not formed (then the nuclei degenerating, e.g. Cymbidium, Dendrobium); when formed, 1–3; not proliferating; ephemeral. Embryogeny when determinable asterad.

Fruit fleshy (sometimes), or non-fleshy; dehiscent (usually), or indehiscent; a capsule (usually), or a berry (e.g. some Vanilleae). Capsules septicidal, or loculicidal. Fruit 30–500 seeded (i.e. seeds usually tiny, thin walled, very numerous and wind dispersed, but larger and crustose in some Vanilloideae where they are dispersed by grazing animals). Seeds endospermic (endosperm development arrested very early), or non-endospermic. Perisperm absent. Seeds minute. Seeds without starch. Embryo rudimentary at the time of seed release (usually), or weakly differentiated. Embryo chlorophyllous (6/7). Testa without phytomelan.

Seedling. Seed germination resulting first in development of an endomycorrhizal 'protocorm'. Seedling collar not conspicuous. Coleoptile absent. Primary root ephemeral.

Physiology, phytochemistry. C3, or CAM. C3 physiology recorded directly in Spathoglottis, Arundina, Coelogyne, Oncidium. CAM recorded directly in Aerangis, Aeranthes, Aerides, Arachnis, Aranda, Aranthera, Ascocentrum, Brassavola, Bulbophyllum, Cadetia, Calanthe, Cattleya, Caularthron, Chiloschista, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Cyrtochilum, Dendrobium, Dimerandra, Encyclia, Epidendrum, Eria, Flickingeria, Gussonia, Ida, Jumellea, Laelia, Lanium, Lissochilus, Luisia, Maxillaria, Microcoelia, Micropera, Mobilabium, Oberonia, Oeonia, Oncidium, Ornithidium, Phalaenaopsis, Pholidota, Plectrorrhiza, Pleurothallis, Polyradicion, Rhinerrhiza, Robiquetia, Saccolabiopsis, Saccolabium, Sarcochilus, Schoenorchis, Schomburgkia, Solenangis, Sophronitis, Taeniophyllum, Thrixspermum, Thunia, Trachoma, Trichoglottis, Vanda, Vanilla, Vanda. Anatomy non-C4 type (Habenaria, Spathoglottis, Vanda). Not cyanogenic. Alkaloids present (commonly), or absent. Saponins/sapogenins present (rarely), or absent. Proanthocyanidins present (rarely), or absent; when present, cyanidin. Flavonols absent (save for kaempferol in one species of Dendrobium). Ellagic acid absent. Sieve-tube plastids P-type; type II.

Geography, cytology. Frigid zone (rare), temperate to tropical. Cosmopolitan, most abundant in the tropics. X = 6–29 (or more).

Taxonomy. Subclass Monocotyledonae. Dahlgren et al. Superorder Liliiflorae; Orchidales. APG III core angiosperms; Superorder Lilianae; non-commelinid Monocot. APG IV Order Asparagales.

Species about 17000. Genera about 850; VANILLOIDEAE: Cleistes, Cleistesiopsis, Clematepistephium, Cyrtosia, Duckeella, Epistephium, Eriaxis, Galeola, Isotria, Lecanorchis, Pogonia, Pseudovanilla, Vanilla. EPIDENDROIDEAE and ORCHIDOIDEAE: Aa, Abdominea, Acacallis, Acampe, Acanthephippium, Aceras, Aceratorchis, Acianthera, Acianthus, Acineta, Ackermania, Acoridium, Acostaea, Acriopsis, Acrochaene, Acrolophia, Acrorchis, Ada, Adenochilus, Adenoncos, Adrorhizon, Aerangis, Aeranthes, Aerides, Aganisia, Aglossorrhyncha, Agrostophyllum, Alamania, Altensteinia, Amblyanthe, Ambrella, Amerorchis, Amesiella, Amitostigma, Amparoa, Anacamptis, Ancistrochilus, Ancistrorhynchus, Androcorys, Angraecopsis, Angraecum, Anguloa, Anoectochilus, Ansellia, Anteriorchis, Anthogonium, Anthosiphon, Antillanorchis, Aorchis, Aphyllorchis, Aplectrum, Aporostylis, Aporum, Appendicula, Aracamunia, Arachnis, Archineottia, Arethusa, Armodorum, Arnottia, Arpophyllum, Arthrochilus, Artorima, Arundina, Ascidieria, Ascocentrum, Ascochilopsis, Ascochilus, Ascoglossum, Ascolabium, Aspasia, Aspidogyne, Aulosepalum, Auxopus, Baptistonia, Barbosella, Barbrodria, Barkeria, Barlia, Bartholina, Basigyne, Basiphyllaea, Baskervilla, Batemannia, Beclardia, Beloglottis, Benthamia, Benzingia, Biermannia, Bifrenaria, Binotia, Bipinnula, Bletia, Bletilla, Bogoria, Bolbidium, Bollea, Bolusiella, Bonatea, Bonniera, Brachionidium, Brachtia, Brachycorythis, Brachypeza, Brachystele, Bracisepalum, Braemia, Brassavola, Brassia, Briegeria, Bromheadia, Broughtonia, Brownleea, Buchtienia, Bulbophyllum, Bulleyia, Burnettia, Burnsbaloghia, Cadetia, Caladenia, Calanthe, Caleana, Callostylis, Calochilus, Calopogon, Caluera, Calymmanthera, Calypso, Calyptrochilum, Campanulorchis, Campylocentrum, Capanemia, Cardiochilus, Catasetum, Cattleya, Cattleyopsis, Caucaea, Caularthron, Centroglossa, Centrostigma, Cephalanthera, Cephalantheropsis, Ceratandra, Ceratocentron, Ceratochilus, Ceratostylis, Chamaeangis, Chamaeanthus, Chamaegastrodia, Chamelophyton, Chamorchis, Changnienia, Chaseella, Chaubardia, Chaubardiella, Chauliodon, Cheiradenia, Cheirostylis, Chelonistele, Chiloglottis, Chilopogon, Chiloschista, Chitonanthera, Chitonochilus, Chloraea, Chondradenia, Chondrorhyncha, Chroniochilus, Chrysocycnis, Chrysoglossum, Chusua, Chysis, Chytroglossa, Cirrhaea, Cirrhopetalum, Cischweinfia, Claderia, Cleisocentron, Cleisomeria, Cleistostoma, Clowesia, Coccineorchis, Cochleanthes, Cochlioda, Cocleorchis, Codonorchis, Codonosiphon, Coelia, Coeliopsis, Coeloglossum, Coelogyne, Coilochilus, Collabium, Comparettia, Comperia, Conchidium, Condylago, Constantia, Corallorrhiza, Cordiglottis, Coryanthes, Corybas, Corycium, Corymborkis, Corysanthes, Cottonia, Cotylolabium, Cranichis, Cremastra, Crepidium, Cribbia, Crossoglossa, Cryptarrhena, Cryptocentrum, Cryptochilus, Cryptopus, Cryptopylos, Cryptostylis, Cuitlauzina, Cyanaeorchis, Cybebus, Cyclopogon, Cycnoches, Cylindrolobus, Cymbidiella, Cymbidium, Cymboglossum, Cynorkis, Cyphochilus, Cypholoron, Cyrtidiorchis, Cyrtochilum, Cyrtopodium, Cyrtorchis, Cyrtostylis, Cystorchis, Dactylorhiza, Dactylorhynchus, Dactylostalix, Degranvillea, Deiregyne, Dendrobium, Dendrochilum, Dendrophylax, Diadenium, Diaphananthe, Diceratostele, Dicerostylis, Dichaea, Dichromanthus, Dickasonia, Dictyophyllaria, Didiciea, Didymoplexiella, Didymoplexis, Diglyphosa, Dignathe, Dilochia, Dilochiopsis, Dilomilis, Dimerandra, Dimorphorchis, Dinema, Dinklageella, Diothonea, Diphylax, Diplandrorchis, Diplocaulobium, Diplocentrum, Diplolabellum, Diplomeris, Diploprora, Dipodium, Dipteranthus, Dipterostele, Disa, Discyphus, Disperis, Distylodon, Dithyridanthus, Diuris, Dockrillia, Dodsonia, Dolichocentrum, Domingoa, Doritis, Dossinia, Dracula, Drakaea, Dresslerella, Dressleria, Dryadella, Dryadorchis, Drymoanthus, Drymoda, Dunstervillea, Dyakia, Earina, Eggelingia, Eleorchis, Elleanthus, Eloyella, Eltroplectris, Elythranthera, Embreea, Encyclia, Entomophobia, Eparmatostigma, Ephippianthus, Epiblastus, Epiblema, Epicranthes, Epidanthus, Epidendrum, Epigeneium, Epilyna, Epipactis, Epipogium, Eria, Eriochilus, Eriodes, Eriopexis, Eriopsis, Erycina, Erythrodes, Erythrorchis, Esmeralda, Euanthe, Eucosia, Eulophia, Eulophiella, Euphlebium, Eurycentrum, Eurychone, Eurystyles, Evotella, Fernandezia, Ferruminaria, Fimbriella, Flickingeria, Frondaria, Fuertesiella, Funkiella, Galeandra, Galearis, Galeottia, Galeottiella, Garaya, Gastrochilus, Gastrodia, Gastrorchis, Gavilea, Geesinkorchis, Gennaria, Genoplesium, Genyorchis, Geoblasta, Geodorum, Glomera, Glossodia, Glossorhyncha, Gomesa, Gomphichis, Gonatostylis, Gongora, Goniochilus, Goodyera, Govenia, Gracielanthus, Grammangis, Grammatophyllum, Graphorkis, Grastidium, Greenwoodia, Grobya, Grosourdya, Gularia, Gunnarella, Gunnarorchis, Gymnadenia, Gymnadeniopsis, Gymnochilus, Gynoglottis, Habenaria, Hagsatera, Hammarbya, Hancockia, Hapalochilus, Hapalorchis, Harrisella, Hederorkis, Helcia, Helleriella, Helonoma, Hemipilia, Herminium, Herpetophytum, Herpysma, Herschelianthe, Hetaeria, Heterozeuxine, Hexalectris, Hexisea, Himantoglossum, Hintonella, Hippeophyllum, Hirtzia, Hispaniella, Hoehneella, Hofmeisterella, Holcoglossum, Holopogon, Holothrix, Homalopetalum, Horichia, Hormidium, Horvatia, Houlletia, Huntleya, Huttonaea, Hybochilus, Hygrochilus, Hylophila, Hymenorchis, Imerinaea, Inobulbon, Ione, Ionopsis, Ipsea, Isabelia, Ischnocentrum, Ischnogyne, Isochilus, Jacquiniella, Jejosephia, Jumellea, Kalimpongia, Kefersteinia, Kegeliella, Kerigomnia, Kinetochilus, Kingidium, Kionophyton, Koellensteinia, Konantzia, Kreodanthus, Kryptostoma, Kuhlhasseltia, Lacaena, Laelia, Laeliocattleya, Laeliopsis, Lanium, Lankesterella, Leaoa, Lemboglossum, Lemurella, Lemurorchis, Leochilus, Lepanthes, Lepanthopsis, Lepidogyne, Leporella, Leptotes, Lesliea, Leucohyle, Ligeophila, Limodorum, Liparis, Listera, Listrostachys, Lockhartia, Loefgrenianthus, Ludisia, Lueddemannia, Luisia, Lycaste, Lycomormium, Lyperanthus, Lyroglossa, Macodes, Macradenia, Macroclinium, Macropodanthus, Malaxis, Malleola, Manniella, Margelliantha, Masdevallia, Mastigion, Maxillaria, Mediocalcar, Megalorchis, Megalotus, Megastylis, Meiracyllium, Mendoncella, Mesadenella, Mesadenus, Mesoglossum, Mesospinidium, Mexicoa, Microchilus, Microcoelia, Micropera, Microphytanthe, Microsaccus, Microtatorchis, Microthelys, Microtis, Miltonia, Miltoniopsis, Mischobulbum, Mobilabium, Moerenhoutia, Monadenia, Monanthos, Monomeria, Monophyllorchis, Monosepalum, Mormodes, Mormolyca, Mycaranthes, Myoxanthus, Myrmechis, Myrmecophila, Myrosmodes, Mystacidium, Nabaluia, Nageliella, Nematoceras, Neobathiea, Neobenthamia, Neobolusia, Neoclemensia, Neocogniauxia, Neodryas, Neoescobaria, Neofinetia, Neogardneria, Neogyna, Neomoorea, Neotinea, Neottia, Neottianthe, Neowilliamsia, Nephelaphyllum, Nephrangis, Nervilia, Nidema, Nigritella, Nothodoritis, Nothostele, Notylia, Oberonia, Octarrhena, Octomeria, Odontochilus, Odontoglossum, Odontorrhynchus, Oeceoclades, Oeonia, Oeoniella, Oerstedella, Olgasis, Oligophyton, Oliveriana, Omoea, Oncidium, Ophidion, Ophrys, Orchipedum, Orchis, Oreorchis, Orestias, Orleanesia, Ornithocephalus, Ornithochilus, Ornithophora, Orthoceras, Osmoglossum, Ossiculum, Osyricera, Otochilus, Otoglossum, Otostylis, Pabstia, Pachites, Pachyphyllum, Pachyplectron, Pachystele, Pachystoma, Palmorchis, Palumbina, Panisea, Pantlingia, Paphinia, Papilionanthe, Papillilabium, Papperitzia, Papuaea, Paradisanthus, Paraphalaenopsis, Parapteroceras, Pecteilis, Pedilochilus, Pedilonum, Pelatantheria, Pelexia, Pennilabium, Peristeranthus, Peristeria, Peristylus, Pescatoria, Phaius, Phalaenopsis, Pholidota, Phragmorchis, Phreatia, Phymatidium, Physoceras, Physogyne, Pilophyllum, Pinalia, Piperia, Pityphyllum, Platanthera, Platycoryne, Platyglottis, Platylepis, Platyrhiza, Platystele, Platythelys, Plectorrhiza, Plectrelminthus, Plectrophora, Pleione, Pleurothallis, Pleurothallopsis, Plocoglottis, Poaephyllum, Podangis, Podochilus, Pogoniopsis, Polycycnis, Polyotidium, Polyradicion, Polystachya, Pomatocalpa, Ponera, Ponerorchis, Ponthieva, Porolabium, Porpax, Porphyrodesme, Porphyroglottis, Porphyrostachys, Porroglossum, Porrorhachis, Prasophyllum, Prescottia, Pristiglottis, Promenaea, Protoceras, Pseudacoridium, Pseuderia, Pseudocentrum, Pseudocranichis, Pseudoeurystyles, Pseudogoodyera, Pseudolaelia, Pseudorchis, Psilochilus, Psychilis, Psychopsiella, Psychopsis, Psygmorchis, Pterichis, Pteroceras, Pteroglossa, Pteroglossaspis, Pterostemma, Pterostylis, Pterygodium, Pygmaeorchis, Pyrorchis, Quekettia, Quisqueya, Rangaeris, Rauhiella, Raycadenco, Reichenbachanthus, Renanthera, Renantherella, Restrepia, Restrepiella, Restrepiopsis, Rhaesteria, Rhamphorhynchus, Rhinerrhiza, Rhizanthella, Rhynchogyna, Rhyncholaelia, Rhynchophreatia, Rhynchostele, Rhynchostylis, Rhytionanthos, Ridleyella, Rimacola, Risleya, Robiquetia, Rodriguezia, Rodrigueziella, Rodrigueziopsis, Roeperocharis, Rossioglossum, Rudolfiella, Rusbyella, Saccoglossum, Saccolabiopsis, Saccolabium, Sacoila, Salpistele, Sanderella, Sarcanthopsis, Sarcochilus, Sarcoglottis, Sarcoglyphis, Sarcophyton, Sarcostoma, Satyridium, Satyrium, Saundersia, Sauroglossum, Scaphosepalum, Scaphyglottis, Scelochiloides, Scelochilus, Schiedeella, Schistotylus, Schizochilus, Schizodium, Schlimmia, Schoenorchis, Schomburgkia, Schwartzkopffia, Scuticaria, Sedirea, Seidenfadenia, Sepalosiphon, Serapias, Sertifera, Sievekingia, Sigmatostalix, Silvorchis, Sinorchis, Sirhookera, Skeptrostachys, Smithorchis, Smithsonia, Smitinandia, Sobennikoffia, Sobralia, Solenangis, Solenidiopsis, Solenidium, Solenocentrum, Sophronitella, Sophronitis, Soterosanthus, Spathoglottis, Specklinia, Sphyrarhynchus, Sphyrastylis, Spiculaea, Spiranthes, Stalkya, Stanhopea, Staurochilus, Stelis, Stellilabium, Stenia, Stenocoryne, Stenoglottis, Stenoptera, Stenorrhynchos, Stephanothelys, Stereochilus, Stereosandra, Steveniella, Stictophyllum, Stigmatosema, Stolzia, Suarezia, Summerhayesia, Sunipia, Sutrina, Svenkoeltzia, Symphyglossum, Synanthes, Synarmosepalum, Systeloglossum, Taeniophyllum, Taeniorrhiza, Tainia, Tangtsinia, Tapeinoglossum, Taprobanea, Telipogon, Tetragamestus, Tetramicra, Teuscheria, Thaia, Thecopus, Thecostele, Thelasis, Thelychiton, Thelymitra, Thelyschista, Thrixspermum, Thulinia, Thunia, Thysanoglossa, Ticoglossum, Tipularia, Tolumnia, Townsonia, Trachyrhizum, Traunsteinera, Trevoria, Trias, Triceratorhynchus, Trichocentrum, Trichoceros, Trichoglottis, Trichopilia, Trichosalpinx, Trichosma, Trichotosia, Tridactyle, Trigonidium, Triphora, Trisetella, Trizeuxis, Tropidia, Trudelia, Tsaiorchis, Tuberolabium, Tubilabium, Tulotis, Tylostigma, Uleiorchis, Uncifera, Urostachya, Vanda, Vandopsis, Vargasiella, Vasqueziella, Ventricularia, Vesicisepalum, Vexillabium, Viteorchis, Vrydagzynea, Wallnoeferia, Warmingia, Warrea, Warreella, Warreopsis, Warscaea, Warczewiczella, Wullschlaegelia, Xenikophyton, Xerorchis, Xiphosium, Xylobium, Yoania, Ypsilopus, Zeuxine, Zootrophion, Zygopetalum, Zygosepalum, Zygostates.

General remarks. No double fertilization. Orchidaceous seed germination characteristically results in an endomycorrhizal 'protocorm', with some plants remaining achlorophyllous and not becoming photosynthetic, but most becoming photosynthetic and ectomycorrhizal. The cladistically recognised subfamilies Vanilloideae, Epidendroideae and Orchidoideae (cf. Christenhusz et al., 2017) are taxonomically unimpressive, going undefined in terms of comparative data.

Quotations.

There, with fantastic garlands, did she come,
Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies and long-purples
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do dead men’s fingers call them.
(‘Hamlet’ iv., 7 — Orchis mascula)

I sought, the living bee to find,
And found the picture of a bee
(Langhorn, quoted by Ann Pratt, ‘Wild Flowers’ (1857))

Less than the coralroot, you know,
That is content with the daylight low,
And has no leaves at all of its own;
Whose spotted flowers hang meanly down
(Fobert Frost, ‘On Going Unnoticed’ - Corallorhiza)

Illustrations. • Le Maout and Decaisne: Aceras, Epidendrum, Orchis. • Le Maout and Decaisne: Bulbophyllum, Lepanthes, Malaxis, Neottia, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis. • Le Maout and Decaisne: Angraecum, Epidendrum, Fernandezia, Phaius, Pleurothallis, Vanilla. • Le Maout and Decaisne: Chysis, Leptotes, Miltonia. • Dactylorhiza maculata, morphological details: Goebel. • Adenochilus gracilis and Caladenia minor: Hooker, Fl. Novae-Zelandiae (1853). • British: Orchis and Dactylorhiza (B. Ent. compilation). • British: Dactyorhiza incarnata (B. Ent.). • British: Cephalanthera damosonium (B. Ent.). • British: Corallorhiza trifida (B. Ent.). • British: Gymnadenia, Listera, Platanthera (B. Ent. compilation). • British: Listera cordata: B. Ent. 634. • British: Ophrys, Aceras, Spiranthes (B. Ent. compilation). • British: Coeloglossum, Neottia, Herminium, Epipactis, Anacamptis (B. Ent. compilation). • Australian: Caladenia spp. (photos). Caladenia flava (left) and C. reptans. Cranbrook, Western Australia, August 2005. Photos by Giles Watson. • Australian: Prasophyllum and Pterostylis (photos). Pterostylis recurva, Cranbrook, Western Australia; Prasophyllum cf. fimbria, Albany, Western Australia (note the adaxial labellum). Giles Watson, August 2005. • Australian: Diuris longifolia (photo). • Acanthephippium javanicum (as Acanthophippium): Bot. Mag. 76 (1850). • Acianthera bicarinata (as Pleurothallis): Bot. Mag. 71 (1845). • Acianthera prolifera (as Pleurothallis): Bot. Reg. 1298. • Aerangis citrata (as Angraecum): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Aerides cylindricum: Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Aerides mitrata (as A. mitratum): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Aerides multiflora (as A. affine): Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Ania viridifusca: Bot. Mag. 78 (1852). • Ansellia africana: Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Angraecum distichum: Bot. Mag. 71 (1845). • Angraecum sesquipedale: Bot. Mag. 85 (1859). • Anguloa uniflora: Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Anguloa hohenlowii x A. clowesii (as A. ruckeri): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Anoectochilus regalis: as A. setaceus, Bot. Reg. 2010, 1837. • cf. Anoectochilus setaceus: Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Arethusa bulbosa: Bot. Mag. 48 (1822). • Arundina graminifolia (as A. deusa): Bot. Reg. 37, 1842. Arundina graminifolia. 1, the lip excised and spread open. 2, the column. 3, the pollinia. • Arundina graminifolia, as A. bambusifolia: Bot. Mag. 119 (1893). • Aspasia epidendroides: Bot. Mag. 68 (1842). • Aspasia variegata: Bot. Reg. 1907 (1836). Aspasia variegata. 1, details of the column (centre) and of the pollinia (left). • Aspasia variegata: Bot. Mag. 65 (1838). • Barkeria uniflora (as B. elegans): Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Barkeria spectabilis: Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Bartholina burmanniana (as B. pectinata): Bot. Reg. 1653, 1835. Bartholina burmanniana. a, whole plant; b, flower from in front; c, flower from behind; d, flower in half profile, the lip cut away (l = spur); e, front view of "petals" (1 = spur) and anther (2). • Brachystele bracteosa (as Spiranthes): Bot. Reg. 1934, 1837. Brachystele bracteosa. 1, entire flower. 2, detail with perianth removed, showing the back of the column and the lip. • Batemannia colleyi: Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Bletia purpurata (as Crybe rosea): Bot. Reg. 1872 (1836). • Bletia catenulata (as B. sherrattiana): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Brassavola acaulis (as B. lineata): Bot. Mag. 79 (1853). • Brassavola nodosa var. nodosa (as B. venosa): Bot. Mag. 69 (1843). • Brassia arcuigera (as B. lawrenciana var. longissima): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Brassia aurantiaca (as Ada): Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Brassia maculata (as B. wrayae): Bot. Mag. 69 (1843). • Bromheadia finlaysoniana (as B. palustris): Bot. Reg. 1844, 18. Bromheadia finlaysoniana. 1, front view of the column. 2, adaxial view of the lip. 3, the gland and pollinia. • Bromheadia finlaysoniana (as B. palustris): Bot. Mag. 69 (1843). • Broughtonia sanguinea: Bot. Mag. 58 (1831). • Bulbophyllum barbigerum: as Bolbophyllum, Bot. Reg. 1942, 1837. • Bulbophyllum barbigerum (as Bolbophyllum): Bot. Mag. 87 (1861). • Bulbophyllum chinense (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Reg. 29 (49), 1843. • Bulbophyllum chinense (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Reg. 29 (49), 1843. • Bulbophyllum fimbriatum (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Mag. 74 (1848). • Bulbophyllum grandiflorum: Bot. Mag. 127 (1901). • Bulbophyllum helenae (as Cirrhopetalum cornutum): Bot. Mag. 79 (1853). • Bulbophyllum longiflorum (as Cirrhopetalum thouarsii): Bot. Mag. 72 (1846). • Bulbophyllum longiflorum (as Cirrhopetalum thouarsii): Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Bulbophyllum longiflorum (as Cirrhopetalum thouarsii): Bot. Reg. XXIV, 11 (1838). • Bulbophyllum macraei (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Mag. 75 (1849). • Bulbophyllum malachadenia (as Malachadenia clavata): Bot. Mag. 73 (1847). • Bulbophyllum maximum (as Megaclinum): Bot. Mag. 69 (1843). • Bulbophyllum medusae (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Reg. 12, 1842. Bulbophyllum medusae. 1, column, petals and labellum. 2, the labellum separated. • Bulbophyllum medusae (as Cirrhopetalum): Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Bulbophyllum psittacoglossum (as Sarcopodium): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Bulbophyllum saltatorium: as Bolbophyllum, Bot. Reg. 1970, 1837. Bulbophyllum saltatorium. 1, a whole flower. 2, the column and “petals”. 3, the base of the lip. 4, the pollinia. • Burnettia cuneata and Caleana major: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Caladenia carnea: Bot. Mag. 124 (1898). • Calanthe limatodes (as Limatodes rosea): Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Calanthe madagascariensis: Bot. Mag. 127 (1901). • Calochilus campestris and Lyperanthus nigricans: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Campylocentrum micranthum: as Angraecum, Bot. Reg. 1772, 1836. Campylocentrum micranthum. 1, flower lip with the spur attached. 2, an entire flower. 3, a pair of pollinia with their gland. • Catasetum atratum: Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Catasetum barbatum (as Myanthus spinosus): Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Catasetum callosum var. grandiflorum: Bot. Mag. 72 (1846). • Catasetum cernuum: Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Catasetum deltoideum: as Myanthus, Bot. Reg. 1896 (1836). • Catasetum luridum: Bot. Reg. 1667, 1835. • Catasetum purum: Bot Mag. 62 (1835). • Catasetum roseo-album (as Monachanthus): Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Cattleya aclandiae: Bot. Mag. 84 (1858). • Cattleya amethystoglossa: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Cattleya cinnabarina (as Laelia): Bot. Mag. 73 (1847). • Cattleya elongata: Bot. Mag. 169 (1842). • Cattleya grandis (as Laelia): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Cattleya luteola: Bot. Mag. 84 (1858). • Cattleya praestans (as Laelia): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Cattleya pumila: Bot. Reg. 1844, 5. • Cattleya pumila: Bot. Mag. 65 (1838). • Cattleya quadricolor: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Caucaea nubigena (as Oncidium cucullatum var. nubigenum): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Chloraea crispa: Bot. Mag. 130 (1904). • Chysis bractescens: Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Cirrhaea dependens (as Gongora viridi-purpurea): Bot. Mag. 57 (1830). • Cirrhopetalum cumingii: Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Cleistostoma filiforme (as Sarcanthus): Bot. Mag. 78 (1852). • Cleistostoma parishii (as Sarcanthus): Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Clowesia russelliana (as Catasetum): Bot. Mag. 66 (1840). • Cochleanthes flabelliformis (as Lygopetalum cochleare): Bot. Mag. 64 (1837). • Crepidium josephianum (as Microstylis): Bot. Mag. 103 (1877). • Coryanthes macrantha: Bot. Mag. 126 (1900). • Coryanthes maculata: Bot. Mag. 58 (1831). • Corybas pictus (as Corysanthes limbata): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Cleistes speciosa: Hook. Ic. Pl. (1842). • Coelogyne cumingii: Bot Mag. 78 (1852). • Coelogyne integerrima: Bot. Mag. 146 (1920). • Coelogyne lentiginosa: Bot. Mag. 98 (1872). • Coelogyne nervosa (as C. corrugata): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Coelogyne odoratissima: Bot Mag. 90 (1864). • Coelogyne parishii: Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Coelogyne punctulata (as C. ocellata): Bot. Mag. 66 (1839). • Coelogyne schilleriana: Bot. Mag. 84 (1858). • Coelogyne stricta (as C. elata): Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Coelogyne testacea: Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Coelogyne trinervis (as C. rossiana): Bot. Mag. 117 (1891). • Coelogyne viscosa, as C. graminifolia: Bot. Mag. 146 (1920). • Comparettia falcata: Bot. Mag. 83 (1857). • Corycium orobanchoides: Bot. Reg. XXIV, 45 (1838). Corycium orobanchoides. 1, profile of a complete flower. 2, front view of flower, with "petals" and the upper "sepal" removed. The twin apex of the lower, double "sepal" is visible at the base of the lip. 3, the column in profile, with the lip adhering to it, and one lobe of the (purple) anther. 4, front view of the column, the lip having been cut away (represented by the scar at upper edge). The glands of the pollinia lie in cavities of the rostellum. 5, a pollen mass detached from the now empty anther, adhering to the rostellum. 6, an anther, prior to detachment of the pollinium from its cell (cf. 5). • Crepidium metallicum (as Microstylis): Bot. Mag. 109 (1883). • Cryptostylis arachnites (as Zosterostylis): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Cuitlauzina candida (as Palumbina): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Cymbidium atropurpureum (as Cymbidium pendulum var. atropurpurea): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Cymbidium elegans, as Cyperorchis: Bot. Mag. 114 (1888). • Cymbidium hookerianum: Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Cymbidium tigrinum: Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • cf. Cynorkis uniflora (as Cynorchis grandiflora): Bot. Mag. 123 (1897). • Cyrtochilum serratum (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Cyrtochilum macranthum (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Cyrtochilum xanthodon (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Cyrtochilum zebrinum (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 100 (1874). • Cyrtopodium punctatum: Bot. Mag. 63 (1836). • Cyrtorchis chailluana (as Angraecum): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Dendrobium aphrodite (as D. nodatum): Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Dendrobium barbatulum: Bot. Mag. 90 (1862). • Dendrobium bensoniae: Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Dendrobium canaliculatum var. canaliculatum (as D.tattonianum): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Dendrobium capillipes: Bot. Mag. 125 (1899). • Dendrobium cumulatum: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Dendronium draconis (as D. eburneum): Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Dendrobium formosum: Bot. Reg. 1839, 64. • Dendrobium gratiosissimum (as D. bullerianum): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Dendrobium heterocarpum (as D. aureum): Bot. Reg. 29 (17), 1843. • Dendrobium infundibulum: Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Dendrobium johannis: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Dendrobium lasioglossum: Bot. Mag. 96 (1870). • Dendrobium maccarthiae: Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Dendrobium macrophyllum var. macrophyllum (as var. veitchianum): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Dendrobium pendulum (as D. crassinode): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Dendrobium sanguinolentum: Bot. Reg. 29 (6), 1843. • Dendrobium scabrilingue (as D. hedyosmum): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Dendrobium senile: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Dendrobium sulcatum: Bot. Mag. 113 (1887). • Dendrobium thyrsiflorum (as D. densiflorum var. albo-lutea): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Dendrobium xanthophlebium (as D. marginatum): Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Dendrophylax funalis (as Angraecum): Bot. Mag. 73 (1847). • Dinema polybulbon: Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Dipodium squamatum (as D. punctatum): Bot. Reg. 1980, 1837. Dipodium squamatum, with details of the flower. 1, column. 2, rhe labellum from above. 3, pollinia. • Disa incarnata: Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Disa lugens: Bot. Mag. 138 (1912). • Disa spathulata subsp. spathulata (as D. atropurpurea): Bot. Mag. 112 (1886). • Diuris maculata and D. sulphurea: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Diuris corymbosa and D. pedunculata: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Dracula chestertonii (as Masdevallia): Bot. Mag. 114 (1888). • Encyclia grahamii (as Epidendrum): Bot. Mag. 68 (1841). • Encyclia jenischiana (as Epidendrum dichromum var. amabile): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Encyclia osmantha, as Epiosmanthum: Bot. Mag. 127 (1901). • Ellianthus longibracteatus (as E. xanthocomus): Bot. Mag. 99 (1873). • cf. Encyclia patens: as Epidendrum odoratissimum, Bot. Reg. 1415 (1831). • Epidendrum cooperianum: Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Epidendrum eburneum: Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Epidendrum medusae (as Nanodes): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Epidendrum paniculatum: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Epidendrum purpurascens (as E.clavatum): Bot. Reg. 1870 (1836). • Epidendrum stamfordianum: Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Epidendrum xanthinum: Bot. Mag. 124 (1899). • Epipogium aphyllum, as E. gmelinii: Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Epistephium williamsii: Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Eriopsis rutidobulbon: Bot. Mag. 75 (1849). • Esmeralda cathartii, as Vanda: Hooker’s Illustrations of Himalayan plants (1855). • Eulophia euglossa: Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Eulophia horsfallii (as Lissochilus sandersonii): Bot. Mag. 112 (1886). • Eulophia pratensis (as E. virens): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Eulophia pulchra (as E. macrostachya): Bot. Mag. 102 (1876). • Eulophia zollingeri (as Cyrtopera sanguinea): Bot. Mag. 101 (1875). • Fernandezia maculata (as Nasonia punctata): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Galeola lindleyana, as Cyrtosia: Hooker’s Illustrations of Himalayan plants (1855). • Galeottia grandiflora (as Batemannia): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Gastrochilus dasypogon (as Saccolabium denticulatum): Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Gastrochilus obliquus var. obliquus (as Saccolabium bigibbum): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Gastrodia sesamoides: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Genoplesium archeri, G. despectans and G. nudum (as Prasophyllum spp.): Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Gomesa bicornuta (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 58 (1831). • Gomesa concolor (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 66 (1839). • Gomesa longipes (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Gomesa marshallianum (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Gomesa micropogon (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 113 (1887). • Gomesa venusta (as Oncidium trulliferum): Bot. Reg. 1839, 57. • Gongora armeniaca (as Acropera): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Gongora portentosa: Bot. Mag. 103 (1877). • Govenia utriculata (as G. gardneri): Bot. Mag. 65 (1838). • Grammangis ellisii (as Grammatophyllum): Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Grammatophyllum stapeliiflorum (as Cymbidium huttonii): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Habenaria armatissima (as H. ludgardii): Bot. Mag. 127 (1901). • Habenaria longicorniculata (as H. longecalcarata): Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Hemipilia calophylla (as H. amythestina): Bot. Mag. 123 (1897). • Ida fulvescens (as Lycaste): Bot. Mag. 71 (1845). • Ida gigantea (as Lycaste): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Ida rikii (as Lycaste barringtonii var. grandiflora): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Ionopsis utricularioides (as I. paniculata): Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Ipsea speciosa: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Isabelia violacea (as Sophronitis): Bot. Mag. 112 (1886). • Kerfersteinia graminea: Bot. Mag. 84 1858). • Koellensteinia graminea: Bot. Mag. 104 (1878). • Koellensteinia ionoptera (as Aganisia): Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Laelia albida: Bot. Mag. 68 (1842). • Laelia anceps: Bot. Reg. 1751, 1836. • Laelia anceps var.: as Laelia alba, Bot. Reg. 1839, 54. • Laelia furfuracea: Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Laelia lyonsii (as Schomburgkia): Bot. Mag. 86 (1860). • Laelia speciosa (as L. majalis): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Leochilus oncidioides (as Oncidium macrantherum): Bot. Mag. 67 (1841). • Lepanthes calodictyon: Bot. Mag. 87 (1861). • Lepanthes sanguinea: Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Lepanthes tridentata: Bot. Reg. 1762, 1836. Lepanthes tridentata. 1, showing tridentate leaf apex. The column rests against the two upright downy ‘petals’, with its two-horned head (5) buried between the lateral lobes of the labellum (3 and 4). • Leptotes bicolor var. glaucophylla: Bot. Mag. 66 (1839). • Liparis atropurpurea: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Liparis cespitosa, as L. obscura: Hook. Ic. Pl. 19 (1889). • Liparis walkerae: Bot. Mag. 66 (1839). • Listrostachys pertusa (as Angraecum): Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Lockhartia acuta: as Fernandezia, Bot. Reg. 1806, 1836. • Lockhartia oerstedii (as Fernandesia robusta): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Luisia psyche: Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Lycaste macrophylla: Bot. Reg. 29 (35), 1843. • Lycaste virginalis (as L. skinneri): Bot. Mag. 75 (1849). • Macodes petola (as M. javanica): Bot. Mag. 115 (1889). • Macroclinium bicolor (as Notylia): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Malaxis discolor: Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Malaxis unifolia: Bot. Reg. 1290. • Masdevallia civilis: Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Masdevallia schlimii: Bot. Mag. 110 (1884). • Masdevallia schroederiana: Bot. Mag. 128 (1902). • Masdevallia tovarensis: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Masdevallia trochilus (as M. ephippium): Bot. Mag. 102 (1876). • Masdevallia veitchiana: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Masdevallia wageneriana: Bot. Mag. 82 (1856). • Maxillaria lutescens (as Ornithidium album): Bot. Mag. 61 (1834). • Maxillaria tenuifolia: Bot. Reg. 1839, 8. • Maxillaria venusta: Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Microchilus quercetifolia (as Physurus maculatus): Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Microtis arenaria and M. pulchella: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Microtis parviflora: Bot. Mag. 62 (1835). • Miltonia anceps: Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Miltonia spectabilis: Bot. Mag. 72 (1846). • Mormodes cartoni: Bot. Mag. 72 (1846). • Mormodes uncia (as M. greenii): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Myoxanthus reymondii (as Pleurothallis): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Nematoceras macrantha and N. oblonga: Hooker, Fl. Novae-Zelandiae (1853). • Neocogniauxia monophylla (as Laelia): Bot. Mag. 109 (1883). • Neomoorea wallisii (as Moorea irrorata): Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Neottia tenuis and N. pinetorum, as Listera: Hook. Ic. Pl. 22 (1894). • Nephelaphyllum pulchrum: Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Nervilia gammieana (as Pogonia): Bot. Mag. 109 (1883). • Nervilia plicata, as Pogonia pulchella: Bot. Mag. 111 (1885). • Nervilia plicata, as Pogonia discolor: Bot. Mag. 100 (1874). • Oberonia acaulis: Bot. Mag. 84 (1858). • Oberonia ensiformis (as O. iridifolia): Bot. Mag. 76 (1850). • Oncidium constrictum (as Odontoglossum): Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Oncidium graminifolium (as O. wrayae): Bot. Mag. 67 (1841). • Oncidium strictum (as Mesospinidium sanguineum): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Orchis maderensis: as O. foliosa, Bot. Reg. 1701, 1835. • Ophrys insectifera var. aranifera: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Ophrys speculum: Bot. Mag. 96 (1870). • Otochilus fusca: Bot. Mag. 68 (1842). • Pabstia jugosa (as Colax jugosus): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Papilionanthe teres (as Vanda): Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Paphinia cristata: Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Peristeria cerina: Bot. Reg. 1953, 1837. Peristeria cerina. 1, side view of column and lip, showing the mid-lobe of the latter bent inwards to press against the former. 2, front view of the column. 3, the pollinia with their glands. • Peristeria elata: Bot. Mag. 58 (1831). • Peristylus goodyeroides (as Habenaria): Bot. Mag. 62 (1835). • Pescatoria cerina (as Huntleya): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Phaius albus (as Phajus): Bot. Mag. 69 (1842). • Phaius flavus (as Phajus maculatus): Bot. Mag. 68 (1842). • Phaius wallichii: Bot. Mag. 114 (1888). • Phalaenopsis aphrodite: as P. amabilis, Bot. Reg. XXIV, 34 (1838). • Phalaenopsis cornu-cervae (as P. Polychilos): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Phalaenopsis japonica: Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Phalaenopsis lowii: Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Phalaenopsis luddemanniana: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Phalaenopsis mariae: Bot. Mag. 113 (1887). • Phalaenopsis parishii: Bot. Mag. 96 (1870). • Pinalia bractescens (as Eria): Bot. Reg. 1844, 29. • Pinalia myristiciformis (as Eria): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Pinalia obesa (as Eria): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Pinalia dillwynii (as Eria): Bot. Mag. 71 (1845). • Platanthera ciliaris, as Habenaria: Bot. Mag. 40 (1814). • Plectrelminthus caudatus (as Angraecum caudatum): Bot. Mag. 74 (1848). • Pleione humilis, as Coelogyne: Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Pleione praecox, as P. reichenbachiana: Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Pleurothallis glossopogon (as P. insignis): Bot. Mag. 113 (1887). • Pleurothallis sirene, as P. scapha: Bot. Mag. 121 (1895). • Podochilus khasianus: Hook. Ic. Pl. 22 (1894). • Polystachya affinis (as P. bracteosa): Bot. Mag. 71 (1845). • Polystachya elastica (as Lissochilus roseus): Bot. Reg. 1844, 12. • Polystachya neobenthamia (as Neobenthamia gracilis): Bot. Mag. 118 (1892). • Polystachya pubescens: Bot Mag. 92 (1866). • Porpax meirax (as Eria): Bot. Mag. 119 (1893). • Prasophyllum alpinum and P. fuscum: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Prasophyllum patens: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Prescottia stachyodes (as P. colorans): Bot. Reg. 1916 (1836). • Promenaea stapelioides (as maxillaria): Bot. Reg. 1839, 17. • Promenaea stapelioides (as Maxillaria): Bot. Mag. 67 (1841). • Prosthechea brassavolae (as Epidendrum): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Prosthechea citrina (as Cattleya): Bot. Mag. 66 (1839). • Prosthechea sceptra, as Epidendrum: Bot. Mag. 117 (1891). • Prosthechea spondiada, as Epidendrum: Bot. Mag. 119 (1893). • Pseudocentrum minus: Hook. Ic. Pl. 14 (1882). • Pterostylis acuminata: Bot. Mag. 62 (1835). • Pterostylis concinna: Bot. Mag. 62 (1835). • Pterostylis cucullata, P. dubia and P. obtusa (cf. Diplodium obtusum): Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Pterostylis grandiflora: F. Bauer (1813). • Renanthera matutina: Bot. Reg. 29 (41), 1843. • Rhizanthella slateri (as Cryptanthemis): Rupp, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 57 (1932). • Rhynchostele bictoniensis (as Zygopetalum africanum): Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Restrepia elegans: Bot. Mag. 98 (1872). • Restrepia muscifera (as R. lansbergii): Bot. Mag. 87 (1861). • Rhyncholaelia digbyana (as Brassovola): Bot. Mag. 75 (1849). • Rhyncholaelia glauca (as Brassovola): Bot. Mag. 69 (1843). • Rhynchostylis gigantea subsp. gigantea (as Saccolabium harrisonianum): Bot. Mag. 90 (1864). • Rhynchostylis retusa (as Saccolabium guttatum): Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Rodriguezia decora (as Burlingtonia): Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Rossioglossum krameri (as Odontoglossum): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Sarcochilus falcatus: Bot. Reg 1832 (1836). • Scaphyglottis graminifolia(as S. violacea): Bot. Reg. 1901 (1836). Scaphyglottis graminifolia. 1, flower in profile. 2, side view of the column and lip. 3, lip viewed from above. 4, pollinia with their gland. • Scaphyglottis graminifolia (as S. violacea): Bot. Mag. 70 (1844). • Scuticaria hadwenii (as Bifrenaria): Bot. Mag. 78 (1852). • Sobralia fragrans: Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Sobralia macrophylla (as S. chlorantha). • Spathoglottis plicata (as S. vieillardii): Bot. Mag. 114 (1888). • Specklinia grobyi (as Pleurothallis): Bot. Mag. 65 (1838). • Specklinia picta (as Pleurothallis): Bot. Reg. 1825, 1836. Specklinia picta. 1, detail of flower, showing column, "petals" and lip. 2, the column in isolation. 3, upper side of the lip. The pollinia, in situ (4) and separated from one another (5). • cf. Spiranthes cernua: Bot. Mag. 87 (1861). • Stanhopea ecornuta: Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Stanhopea oculata (as S. bucephalus): Bot. Mag. 87 (1861). • Stanhopea oculata: Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Stenoglottis longifolia: Bot. Mag. 117 (1891). • Stelis ciliaris (as S. atropurpurea): Bot. Mag. 69 (1842). • Stelis emarginata (as Physosiphon loddigesii): Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Stelis immersa, as Pleurothallis: Bot. Mag. 117 (1891). • Stereochilus erinaceus (as Sarcanthus): Bot. Mag. 93 (1867). • Tainia bicornis: as Ania, Bot. Reg. 1844, 8. Tainia bicornis. 1, the lip. 2, the column, with its lengthened foot and two-horned anther. 3, the pollinia. • Tainia scapigera (as Nephelaphyllum): Bot. Mag. 89 (1863). • Thelmytra carnea and T. venosa: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Tetramicra canaliculata (as Brassavola elegans): Bot. Mag. 58 (1831). • Thelmytra ixioides and T. nuda: Hooker, Fl. Tasmaniae (1860). • Thunia bensoniae: Bot. Mag. 94 (1868). • Trichocentrum albococcineum (as T. albo-purpureum): Bot. Mag.94 (1868). • Trichocentrum cavendishianum (as Oncidium pachyphyllum): Bot. Mag. 67 (1840). • Trichocentrom fuscum: Bot. Mag. 69 (1842). • Trichopilia fragrans (as Pilumna): Bot. Mag. 84 (1858). • Trichopilia marginata (as T. coccinea): Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Trichopilia suavis: Bot. Mag. 78 (1852). • Trichopilia subulata (as T. hymenantha): Bot. Mag. 98 (1872). • Trichopilia turialvae: Bot. Mag. 91 (1865). • Trichotosia vestita (as Eria vestita): Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Vanda ampullacea (as Saccolabium ampullaceum): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Vanda cristata: Bot. Mag. 73 (1847). • Vanda curvifolia (as Saccolabium miniatum): Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Vanda denisoniana: Bot. Mag. 95 (1869). • Vanda pumila: Bot. Mag. 130 1904). • Vanda tesselata, as V. roxburgii: Bot. Mag. 48 (1820). • Vanda testacea (as Aerides wightianum): Bot. Mag. 85 (1859). • Vanilla planifolia: Bot. Mag. 117 (1891). • Vitekorchis excavatus (as Oncidium): Bot. Mag. 88 (1862). • Warczewiczella discolor (as Warrea): Bot. Mag. 81 (1855). • Warczewiczella flabelliformis: as Zygopetalum cochleare, Bot. Reg 1857 (1836). Warczewiczella flabelliformis. 1, base of the column, with bases of perianth members adhering. 2, the fleshy ridge of the lip. 3, the pollinia and their glands. • Warczewiczella marginata (as Warrea quadrata): Bot. Mag. 80 (1854). • Warczewiczella marginata (as W. velata): Bot. Mag. 92 (1866). • Yoania japonica: Hook. Ic. Pl. 14 (1880–82). • Xylobium leontoglossum: Bot. Mag. 115 (1889). • Xylobium palmifolium (as Maxillaria decolor): Bot. Mag. 69 (1842). • Zootrophion atropurpureum (as Masdevallia fenestrata): Bot. Mag. 71 (1845).


We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, distributions of character states within any set of taxa, geographical distribution, genera included in each family, and classifications (Dahlgren; Dahlgren, Clifford, and Yeo; Cronquist; APG). See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.


Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 1992 onwards. The families of flowering plants: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 11th September 2025. delta-intkey.com’.

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