These terrestrial orchids have
root tubers instead of
pseudobulbs. They are extremely diverse in appearance. They produce an erect
stem. The
inflorescence is a cylindrical to globular
spike, 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long, with yellow, red to purple
flowers. They start flowering at the base, slowly progressing upwards, except for the Monkey orchid (Orchis simia), which flowers in reverse order.
The original genus Orchis used to contain more than 1,300 names. Since it was
polyphyletic, it has been divided by Pridgeon et al., into several new genera (see Reference): Ponerorchis, Schizodium, Steveniella. They can be found in tropical Rainforest and semi-desert regions, near the seashore and in the tundra. The majority of neotropical orchid species can be found in southern Central America, northwest South America
Pridgeon, A.M.; R.M. Bateman; A.V. Cox; J.R. Hapeman & M.W. Chase (1997). "Phylogenetics of subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae) based on nuclear ITS sequences. 1. Intergeneric relationships and polyphyly of Orchis sensu lato". Lindleyana. 12 (2): 89–109.
Bateman, R.M.; Pridgeon, A.M.; Chase, M.W. (1997). "Phylogenetics of subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae) based on nuclear ITS sequences. 2. Infrageneric relationships and reclassification to achieve monophyly of Orchis sensu stricto". Lindleyana. 12: 113–141.
Wucherpfennig, W. (1999). "Gedanken zu einer Neuordnung der Gattung Orchis L.". Nachtrag. Jour. Eur. Orch. 31: 329–346. (in German)
Aceto S, Caputo P, Cozzolino S, Gaudio L, Moretti A (1999). "Phylogeny and evolution of Orchis and allied genera based on ITS DNA variation: morphological gaps and molecular continuity". Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 13 (1): 67–76.
doi:
10.1006/mpev.1999.0628.
PMID10508540.
These terrestrial orchids have
root tubers instead of
pseudobulbs. They are extremely diverse in appearance. They produce an erect
stem. The
inflorescence is a cylindrical to globular
spike, 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long, with yellow, red to purple
flowers. They start flowering at the base, slowly progressing upwards, except for the Monkey orchid (Orchis simia), which flowers in reverse order.
The original genus Orchis used to contain more than 1,300 names. Since it was
polyphyletic, it has been divided by Pridgeon et al., into several new genera (see Reference): Ponerorchis, Schizodium, Steveniella. They can be found in tropical Rainforest and semi-desert regions, near the seashore and in the tundra. The majority of neotropical orchid species can be found in southern Central America, northwest South America
Pridgeon, A.M.; R.M. Bateman; A.V. Cox; J.R. Hapeman & M.W. Chase (1997). "Phylogenetics of subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae) based on nuclear ITS sequences. 1. Intergeneric relationships and polyphyly of Orchis sensu lato". Lindleyana. 12 (2): 89–109.
Bateman, R.M.; Pridgeon, A.M.; Chase, M.W. (1997). "Phylogenetics of subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidoideae, Orchidaceae) based on nuclear ITS sequences. 2. Infrageneric relationships and reclassification to achieve monophyly of Orchis sensu stricto". Lindleyana. 12: 113–141.
Wucherpfennig, W. (1999). "Gedanken zu einer Neuordnung der Gattung Orchis L.". Nachtrag. Jour. Eur. Orch. 31: 329–346. (in German)
Aceto S, Caputo P, Cozzolino S, Gaudio L, Moretti A (1999). "Phylogeny and evolution of Orchis and allied genera based on ITS DNA variation: morphological gaps and molecular continuity". Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 13 (1): 67–76.
doi:
10.1006/mpev.1999.0628.
PMID10508540.