Taeniophyllum Bl.

Abstract

Taeniophyllum is a large genus of epiphytic, leafless orchids with over 170 species distributed from Himalaya through Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia to Australia and the Pacific (half the number occurring in New Guinea) growing on the branches of trees below 1000 m. Plants are small, stems very short, covered with tiny, brown, scale leaves and bearing radiating, terete, green roots appressed to the bark of host trees. Inflorescence is short bearing few small flowers, 1 - 2 opening at a time, in succession. Species are divided into 2 subgenera based on whether the sepals and petals are free or joined at their base to form a tube. Lip is entire or 3-lobed, with a rounded spur. Flowers last a day: flowers of the first subgenus with free tepals open during the daytime, tubular flowers flowering at night. Flowering in some species is gregarious. Taeniophyllum pusillum typifies the genus.