Phloeophila
| Bonnet orchids | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Epidendroideae |
| Tribe: | Epidendreae |
| Subtribe: | Pleurothallidinae |
| Genus: |
Pleurothallis R.Br., 1813 |
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| Synonyms | |
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Pleurothallis, abbreviated Pths in horticultural trade, is a genus of orchids commonly named bonnet orchids. The genus name is derived from the Greek word 'pleurothallos', meaning 'riblike branches'. This refers to the rib-like stems of many species.
This was a huge genus, which used to contain more than 1,200 species - the second largest in the Orchidaceae after Bulbophyllum. In 2004, it decreased by more than half when many species were moved into new genera.
Pleurothallis is a completely New World group, widespread across much of Mexico, Central America, South America and the West Indies. Flora of North America lists one species in Florida (P. gelina) but this has now been transferred to a different genus, Stelis. The center of diversity of the genus is in the high Andes, especially in the chain of cloud forests in Colombia. Pleurothallis grows in dry or wet, tropical or temperate climates.
As a group they show a huge range in vegetative form, terrestrial or epiphytic, and can be found as tall cane-like plants a metre or so high, clumped or trailing, pendent or climbing, erect or creeping, tufted and tiny, delicate moss-like species that can grow on the thinnest of twigs. But they have one common denominator: they all have two pollinia.
They have reduced their pseudobulbs and instead, some species have thick succulent leaves.
Their flowers are among the most diverse and unusual, although often very small, and specialize in using tiny insects such as gnats or Chalcid wasps for pollination.
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Wikipedia