Phaius Lour

Swamp Orchids

Greek phaios – grey or swarthy; an allusion to the dark flowers of most species

Terrestrial or rarely epiphytic herbs, sympodial. Stems cylindrical or thickened into pseudobulbs, dense, sheathed by leaf bases. Leaves lateral to apical, 3 to several, large, thin, pleated, stalked. Inflorescences basal or lateral racemes, open or dense, erect or arching. Flowers resupinate, few-many, often large, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, usually spreading. Petals similar to or slightly smaller than sepals, free. Labellum entire or 3-lobed, side lobes erect or embracing column, base fused to column, basal spur or pouch often present. Column short, winged, with a short foot. Pollinia 8, in 2 groups of 4, waxy.

About 30 species from tropical Africa through Asia to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Robust terrestrial with large pleated leaves; flowers usually large and in long erect racemes.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Hero image
kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Lilianae
order      Asparagales
family       Orchidaceae
Higher taxa
Subordinate taxa
species         Phaius tancarvilleae (L'Hér.) Blume