| Ophioglossella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Vandeae |
| Subtribe: | Aeridinae |
| Genus: | Ophioglossella Schuit. & Ormerod |
| Species: | O. chrysostoma |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophioglossella chrysostoma Schuit. & Ormerod | |
| | |
| Distribution of Ophioglossella | |
Ophioglossella is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae endemic to New Guinea. [1] [2] [3] The sole species is Ophioglossella chrysostoma.
This species has been previously misidentified as member of the genera Sarcochilus , Pteroceras , Dryadorchis , and Grosourdya . Ophioglossella chrysostoma Schuit. & Ormerod is a small, short-stemmed, monopodial epiphyte with nearly sickle-shaped, twisted leaves, and sparsely to many-flowered racemes. The flowers are white with additional pink colouration. The labellum is mobile and does not possess a spur. The androecium consists of four pollinia. [4]
It occurs at elevations of 1,700–2,300 metres (5,600–7,500 ft) above sea level in montane forests. [4]
The specific epithet of the type species chrysostoma consists of chryso-, meaning golden, [5] and -stoma meaning mouth. [6] It refers to the golden inner side of the labellum. [4]
This species appears to be widespread, but rare and appears to have a low numbers of individuals. [4]