Pinalia, commonly known as gremlin orchids,[2] is a
genus of
flowering plants in the
familyOrchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are large
epiphytic or
lithophytic plants with prominent
pseudobulbs, each with up to three thin, flat leaves and cup-shaped, relatively short-lived flowers with scale-like brown hairs on the outside. There are about 120 species occurring from
tropical to
subtropicalAsia to the south-west
Pacific.
Description
Orchids in the genus Pinalia are epiphytic or lithophytic, rarely
terrestrialherbs with prominent, fleshy pseudobulbs that are covered with papery brown
bracts when young. Each pseudobulb has up to three thin, leathery, linear to lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are
resupinate, usually cup-shaped and last for a few days. The
dorsalsepal is narrower than the
lateral sepals which are attached at their base to the
column to form a small ledge. The
labellum is hinged to the base of the column and has three relatively small lobes.[2][3][4]
The genus Pinali was first formally described in 1826 by
John Lindley who published the description in Orchidearum Sceletos.[1][5]
The name Pinalia is based on an unpublished name suggested by
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, derived from a
Nepalese word meaning a type of forest
yam.[6]
^
abJones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 473.
ISBN1877069124.
Pinalia, commonly known as gremlin orchids,[2] is a
genus of
flowering plants in the
familyOrchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are large
epiphytic or
lithophytic plants with prominent
pseudobulbs, each with up to three thin, flat leaves and cup-shaped, relatively short-lived flowers with scale-like brown hairs on the outside. There are about 120 species occurring from
tropical to
subtropicalAsia to the south-west
Pacific.
Description
Orchids in the genus Pinalia are epiphytic or lithophytic, rarely
terrestrialherbs with prominent, fleshy pseudobulbs that are covered with papery brown
bracts when young. Each pseudobulb has up to three thin, leathery, linear to lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are
resupinate, usually cup-shaped and last for a few days. The
dorsalsepal is narrower than the
lateral sepals which are attached at their base to the
column to form a small ledge. The
labellum is hinged to the base of the column and has three relatively small lobes.[2][3][4]
The genus Pinali was first formally described in 1826 by
John Lindley who published the description in Orchidearum Sceletos.[1][5]
The name Pinalia is based on an unpublished name suggested by
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, derived from a
Nepalese word meaning a type of forest
yam.[6]
^
abJones, David L. (2006). A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: New Holland. p. 473.
ISBN1877069124.