Dryadorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is endemic to New Guinea.Marshall, A., & Beehler, B. (2011). "Ecology of Indonesian Papua Part One." Tuttle Publishing.
Description The stems are very short, and they bear subfalcate leaves. The racemose inflorescences have a swollen rhachis. They produce short-lived flowers with a long, slim column, which houses four pollinia. The unspurred labellum has a concavity in its centre.Schuiteman, A., & Ormerod, P. (1998). "Ophioglossella (Orchidaceae-Aeridinae), a new genus from Papua New Guinea." Kew Bulletin, 741-745.
Etymology The genus name of Dryadorchis refers to Dryad, a tree nymph or tree spirit in Greek mythology.
Ecology Dryadorchis grows epiphytically at elevations of 0-1700 m above sea level.
Taxonomy Proposed merging with other genera It was proposed to merge this genus with Sarcochilus and Thrixspermum, which however was rejected.Schuiteman, A., & Christenson, E. A. (1995). "A synopsis of Dryadorchis Schltr.(Orchidaceae)." Blumea: Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants, 40(2), 421-424. Species It contains 5 known species, which are all endemic to New Guinea:Berg Pana, H. 2005. Handbuch der Orchideen-Namen. Dictionary of Orchid Names. Dizionario dei nomi delle orchidee. Ulmer, Stuttgart
Dryadorchis barbellata Schltr. Dryadorchis dasystele Schuit. & de Vogel Dryadorchis huliorum (Schuit.) Christenson & Schuit. Dryadorchis minor Schltr. Dryadorchis singularis (J.J.Sm.) Christenson & Schuit.
See also List of Orchidaceae genera
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