Orchid Information - Genus Cryptostylis

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Genus Cryptostylis

Cryptostylis R.Br., Prodr. (1810) 317

Synonyms:

Genus Chlorosa Blume, Bijdr. (1825) 420
Genus Zosterostylis Blume, Bijdr. (1825) 418

Stemless sympodial terrestrial plants without rhizomes. Shoots 1-leaved, clustered. Leaves not sheathing at the base, with a distinct petiole, glabrous, persistent, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence arising from the base of the plant, a raceme. Flowers medium-sized, not resupinate. Sepals free, narrow. Petals similar. Lip without spur, not mobile, usually yellowish or red-brown with darker spots. Column hidden in a basal cavity of the lip, lacking a column-foot. Pollinia 4, mealy, caudicles absent, stipe absent, viscidium present.

Species present in New Guinea:

Cryptostylis apiculata
Cryptostylis arachnites
Cryptostylis arfakensis
Cryptostylis carinata
Cryptostylis concava
Cryptostylis gracilis
Cryptostylis hamadryas
Cryptostylis lancilabris
Cryptostylis ligulata
Cryptostylis maculata
Cryptostylis sigmoidea
Cryptostylis sororia

Distribution:

Sri Lanka, India, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Samoa. About 15 species; in New Guinea 10 species.

Habitat:

Terrestrial in lowland and lower montane forest.

Classification:

Subfamily Orchidoideae
Tribe Diurideae
Subtribe Cryptostylidinae
Genus Cryptostylis

Notes:

An unmistakable genus, easily recognised by the stalked leaves that are not plicate, and by the spidery flowers having the lip uppermost. Species of Cryptostylis are very rarely cultivated. The taxonomy of the New Guinea species is desperately in need of revision.