Genus Geodorum
Geodorum Jackson, in Andr., Bot. Repos. (1810) t. 626
Synonyms:
- Genus Ascochilus Blume, Fl. Javae (1828) vi (nomen)
- Genus Cistella Blume, Bijdr. (1825) 293
- Genus Otandra Salisb., Trans. Hort. Soc. 1 (1812) 298
- Genus Ortmannia Opiz, Flora 17 (1834) 592
Sympodial terrestrial plants with short rhizomes. Pseudobulbs consisting of several nodes, partly underground. Leaves few, sheathing at the base, glabrous, plicate, deciduous, convolute, thin-textured. Inflorescence arising from the base of the immature shoot, a raceme, flower-bearing part abruptly curved downwards. Flowers medium-sized, resupinate. Sepals free. Petals free, usually broader than the sepals. Lip not spurred, shallowly cup-shaped, not mobile. Column-foot present. Pollinia 2, solid, cleft, caudicles absent, stipe present, viscidium present.
Sri Lanka, tropical continental Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific islands, east to Niue. About 8 species; in New Guinea one, non-endemic, species [Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr.].
In lowland and montane forest and in open vegetation on poor soils.
- Subfamily Epidendroideae
- Tribe Cymbidieae
- Subtribe Eulophiinae
- Genus Geodorum
Closely related to Eulophia, but easily recognised by the abruptly downward curved top of the inflorescence, with the flowers facing the ground. Geodorum is rarely seen in cultivation.
Genus Geodorum contains 8 species, in New Guinea:
Geodorum densiflorum
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Genus Geodorum
Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr., flowers, photo J. van Bodegom, from New Guinea (Manokwari)
Genus Geodorum
Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr., inflorescences, photo P. O'Byrne, based on O'Byrne G050
Genus Geodorum
Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr., drawing N.H.S. Howcroft 81, from Finschafen