This article needs to be updated.(May 2021) |
This is a list of genera in the orchid family (Orchidaceae), originally according to The Families of Flowering Plants - L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz. This list is adapted regularly with the changes published in the Orchid Research Newsletter which is published twice a year by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The most up to date list of accepted; genera, natural nothogenera, species and natural nothospecies with their synonyms can be found on the World Checklist of Selected Plants Families Search Page published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This list is reflected on Wikispecies Orchidaceae and the new eMonocot website Orchidaceae Juss.
This taxonomy undergoes constant change, mainly through evidence from DNA study. Orchids were traditionally defined by morphological similarity (structure of their flowers and other parts). However, recent changes to nomenclature have been driven primarily by DNA studies and also by re-examination of herbarium specimens. This has led to a reduction of genera and species as well as re-circumscription of subfamilies, tribes and subtribes. Orchid taxonomy is still being revised and each year about another 150 new species are being discovered. The list of genera alone currently stands just short of 1000 entries.
From a cladistic point of view, the orchid family is considered to be monophyletic, i.e. the group incorporates all the taxa derived from an ancestral group.
The taxonomy of the orchids is explained on the page Taxonomy of the orchid family.
There are five recognized subfamilies: [1]
Laeliinae is a Neotropical subtribe including 40 orchid genera, such as Brassavola, Laelia and Cattleya. The genus Epidendrum is the largest within this subtribe, containing about 1500 species. This is followed by the genus Encyclia, with over 120 species.
Stenia is a genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It was established by John Lindley in 1837. These epiphytic plants occur in warm, humid habitats of Trinidad and the Amazonian slope of the northern Andean region in South America.
Aulosepalum is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It consists of 8 species native to Mexico and Central America.
Brachystele is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It consists of 20 species native primarily to South America but with a few species in Mexico, Central America, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Ceratandra is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains 6 known species, all endemic to South Africa.
Chondrorhyncha is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. At the present time 7 species are recognized, though many more names have been proposed. All species are native to Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Crossoglossa is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains 26 currently recognized species native to Central America and South America, from Nicaragua to Bolivia.
Cypholoron is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains only two known species, both native to South America.
Diplocentrum is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It has two known species:
Diplomeris is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to China, the Indian subcontinent, and southeast Asia. Three species are currently recognized :
Diploprora is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains two recognized species, native to Asia:
Epistephium is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to South America, with a few species in Belize and Trinidad.
Euryblema is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains two known species, native to Panama and Colombia.
Triphora is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to South America, Central America, southern Mexico, the West Indies and eastern North America as far north as Ontario. Noddingcaps is a common name for plants in this genus.
Helleriella is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains two known species, native to Mexico and Central America.
Homalopetalum is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It contains 8 known species native to Central America, northern South America, Mexico and the West Indies.
Ixyophora is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It has 5 known species, all native to South America.
Polystachya neobenthamia is a species of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is terrestrial, lithophilic and grows among leaf litter and other detritus on rock faces. It is endemic to Tanzania.
Oreorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to Asia. Species currently accepted as of June 2014:
Schiedeella is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to the Western Hemisphere: Mexico, the West Indies and Central America, with one species (S. arizonica) in the southwestern United States.