Galeola
(pronounced: gal-ee-OH-lah)
Classification
Triphoreae subtribe Galeolinae
Overview
Massive achlorophyllous saprophytes. Stems elongate, vining, rooting at the nodes. Inflorescences axillary, produced along the length of the stems, massive, successively-flowered panicles. Flowers fleshy, cupped, yellow to brown. Sepals and petals free, spreading. Lip unlobed, sessile, concave to saccate. Column stout, clubpshaped, arching-bent; pollinia 2, cleft, granular.
Etymology
A diminutive of the Latin galea, meaning helmet, in reference to the lip shape.
Distribution
A genus of 10 species ranging from Madagascar ro New Guinea. Galeola has the distinction of including the world’s largest saprophytes.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Galeola are obligate saprophytes and cannot be cultivated.
Literature
Pal, G. D. and N. R. Abbareddy 1982(1983). Galeola nudifolia Lour., a rare orchid from Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Bull. Bot. Surv. India 24(1-4):203-205. Rao, A. S. and N. C. Deori 1973(1976). Galeola altissima (Bl.) Reichb.f., first report of its occurrence in India from North Cachar Hills, Assam. Bull. Bot. Soc. India 15(1-2):123-125.
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