Chroniochilus is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains 5 species, native to Yunnan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Taxonomy Species C. ecalcaratus (Holttum) Garay - Pahang, Sabah C. minimus (Blume) J.J.Sm. - Borneo, Java, Malaysia C. sinicus L.J.Chen & Z.J.Liu - Yunnan C. thrixspermoides (Schltr.) Garay - Sumatra C. virescens (Ridl.) Holttum - Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, Malaysia
Description Generative characteristics Chroniochilus produces small flowers on racemose inflorescences. The conical, fleshy, mobile labellum does not bear a spur. The androecium consists of two pollinia. In Chroniochilus sinicus, flowering occurs from August to October.
Etymology The generic name Chroniochilus is derived from the Greek chronios, meaning lasting or persistent, and cheilos, meaning lip.Pridgeon, A., Cribb, P., Rasmussen, F., & Chase, M. (2014). "Genera Orchidacearum: Epidendroideae." pp. 156-158. Oxford University Press.
Conservation It has been recommended to categorize Chroniochilus sinicus as endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.Lijun, C., & Zhongjian, L. (2010). "Chroniochilus sinicus, a new species of Orchidaceae from Yunnan, China." Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature, 20(3), 252-255.
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