Taeniophyllum

(pronounced: tee-nee-oh-FILL-um)

Classification

Vandeae subtribe Aeridinae

Overview

Leafless monopodial epiphytes and lithophytes with extremely short stems. Roots terete to strongly flattened. Inflorescences axillary scapose racemes, sometimes subcapitate, often fractiflex. Flowers tubular, ephemeral, usually produced in succession over long periods of time. Sepals and petals subsimilar, fused at the base. Lip unlobed to obscurely three-lobed, saccate at the base, usually with a terminal retrorse hook-like tooth. Column short, with broad stelidia flanking the anther, without a foot; pollinia 4, equal or unequal, on a common stipe and minute viscidium.

Etymology

From the Greek tainia, meaning fillet, and phyllon, meaning leaf, referring to the long filamentous roots.

Distribution

A genus of about 100 species from Africa, and northeast India to Australia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean.

Care and Culture Card

See basic growing conditions and care information below.


Literature

Carr, C. 1932. Genus Taeniophyllum in the Malay Peninsula. Gard. Bull. Straits Settlem. 7(1):61-86.

Jonsson, L. 1979. The African members of Taeniophyllum (Orchidaceae). Bot. Notis. 132:511-519.
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