Alphabetical Listing - D -
| GENUS | COMMENTS | SPECIES |
| DACTYLORCHIS (Klinge) Verm. 1947 |
See Dactylorhiza |
| DACTYLORHIZA Neck. ex Nevski
SYNONYMS Dactylorchis  |
(Dact.) Gr. dactylos, finger; rhiza, root. The name refers to the finger-lobing of the tubers.
There are around 33 terrestrial species distributed in the swamps, marshes and meadows throughout Europe, Middle East, temperate Asia. There is also one species, D. aristata found in North America. Distinctions between species in this genus is blurred because they hybridize readily. Changes in habitat sometimes favor the hybrid where as the parents do not survive, adding to the identification confusion. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DACTYLOSTYLIS Scheidw. 1839 |
See |
| DARWINIELLA Braas & Luckel 1982 |
See Trichoceros |
| DECAISNEA Brongn. 1829 |
illegitimate later homonym See Prescottia |
| DECAISNEA Lindl. 1831 |
illegitimate later homonym See Tropidia |
| DENDROBIUM
Sw. 1799
SYNONYMS
| (Den.) Gr. denfron, tree bios, life. The name meaning "living on a tree"
Common name: "Lily-of-The-Valley Orchid" Dendrobium is such a large genus that it could fill a book (or two) all by itself! There are over 900-1,000 species ranging from India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand. Most are epiphytic or lithophytic in nature. Because species are extremely variable due to their widely ranging habitat conditions, new species were difficult to associate with Dendrobium resulting in the dozens of other genera and new genera filled with them (thus the large genera synonym list). There have been some attempts and discussion to split this genus up into smaller units. Someday that may happen. | ||||||||
| SPECIES (a small sampling)
|
| DENDROCHILUM
Blume 1825
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. dendron,tree; cheilos,lip
Common names: "Chain Orchid," "Necklace Orchid," "Golden Orchid," "Cat's-Tail Orchid," "Fox Brush (Foxtail) Orchid" There are over 120-150 epiphytic species in this genus distributed in rainforests from southeast Asia to New Guinea, Borneo, and the Philippines. Species are usually very pretty bearing many small fragrant yellowish flowers in arching or erect racemes. Species are sometimes listed incorrectly under genera Acoridium or Platyclinis. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DENDROCOLLA Blume 1825 |
Synonym of Sarcochilus, See Thrixspermum |
| DENDROCORYNE (Lindl.) Brieger 1981 |
See Dendrobium |
| DENDROLIRIUM Blume 1825 |
See Eria |
| DENDROPHYLAX
Rchb.f. 1861
| (None) Gr. dendron,tree; phylax,guard; allusion to the manner in which the plant wraps itself around its host tree.
There are only about five epiphytic species in this genus all distributed in the Caribbean Islands. These are some of the more unusual orchid species in that they are leafless, appearing as a large tangled mass of green-colored roots which serve the duel purpose of acquiring nutrients and processing them through photosynthesis. Species produce green to white flowers. Species are closely related to other leafless neotropical orchid genera Harrisella and Polyradicion. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DENDRORKIS Thouars 1809 |
See Aerides |
| DENSLOVIA Rydb. 1931 |
See Habenaria |
| DEPPIA Raf. 1836 |
See Lycaste |
| DEROEMERA Rchb.f. 1852 |
See Holothrix or HABENARIA |
| DESMOTRICHUM
Blume 1825 | illegitimate later homonym See Flickingeria In 1825, Blume established Desmotrichum as a genus of twelve species. In 1830 Lindley moved the species to the genus Dendrobium, where they remained listed for 130 years. In 1961, there was strong evidence that the species were not really Dendrobiums after all. The old previous name Desmotrichum, however, could not be used because the name proved to be a homonym of an earlier genus of algae! So..... Summerhayes came up with the name Ephemerantha. A.D.Hawks, however, had already renamed and published the genus Flickingeria in the Australian Plant Names Index (APNI) earlier that year. The Botanical Gardens at Kew recognized Hawkes' prior claim and published his named genus in the Index Kewensis (IK) in 1965. |
| DIACRIUM
Benth. 1881 | See Caularthron
(Diacm) Gr. di,two; acum,peak, point; alluding to the hollow horn-shaped excavations which project up from the upper surface of the lip. Common name: "Virgin Orchid" |
| DIALISSA Lindl. 1844 |
See Stelis |
| DIAPHANANTHE
Schltr. 1941
SYNONYMS
| (Dpthe.) Gr. diaphanes,transparent; anthos,flower; alluding
to the translucent
perianth
of many of the species.
There are about 50 epiphytic species in this genus distributed within the tropical zones of Africa. The nearly transparent white, pale green, yellow, or pinkish flowers make this species one of the more unique members of the orchid family. Species are allied to the Angraecum genus. | |||||||
SPECIES
|
| DICERATOSTELE
Summerh. 1938
| (None)
There is only one species in this genus found in Gabon, western Africa. This is a very odd terrestrial orchid simulates Corymborkis. The big difference is the structure of the small white flowers. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DICHAEA
Lindl. 1833
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. diche,twofold; alluding to the leaves in two ranks.
Common name: "Leaf-Stem Orchid" There are more than 100 monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed throughout tropical America. Species are characterized by their lack of pseudobulbs and pendant growth habit. The flowers are single star-shaped with an anchor-shaped lip. Although they are small, their fragrance is very strong, smelling like chocolate or cocoa and are pollinated by male Euglossine bees. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DICHAEOPSIS Pfitzer 1889 |
See Dichaea |
| DICHOPUS Blume 1856 |
See Dendrobium |
| DICRYPTA Lindl. 1830 |
See Maxillaria |
| DIDACTYLE Lindl. 1852 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| DIDOTHION Raf. 1836 |
See Epidendrum |
| DIDYMOPLEXIS
Griff. 1844
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. didymos,twin; plexis,plaiting
There are about 20 very small leafless saprophyte species in this genus distributed in Africa, Madagascar, throughout Asia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Philippines, and Australia. Many members of this genus were previously placed in other genera including Arethusa, Pogonia, and Cheirostylis. In most species the flowers are stalkless, but when the fruits have formed, the capsules attain lengths of over five inches. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DIENIA Lindl. 1824 |
Synonym Microstylis, See Malaxis |
| DIGOMPHOTIS Raf. 1836 |
See Habenaria |
| DILOCHIOPSIS (Hook.f.) Brieger 1981 |
See Eria |
| DIMERANDRA
Schltr. 1922
| (None) Gr. di-,twice; andra,stamens; alluding to the reflexed lobes of the
clinandrium
of the column.
There are about a dozen epiphytic species in this genus distributed throughout the dry lowland tropical forests of America. The flowers are pink with a small white spot on the lip. Many, of not all species in this genus were, at one time, classified in genus Epidendrum. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DIMORPHORCHIS
Rolfe 1919
| (None) Gr. di-,twice; morphe,shape; orchis,orchid; alluding to the
unusual characteristic of producing two forms of flowers in each
inflorescence.
There are only three epiphytic species in this genus distributed only on the island of Borneo. Species lowii had been placed in various genera including Arachnis, Renanthera, and Vanda. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DINEMA Lindl. 1826 |
See Epidendrum |
| DIPERA Spreng. 1826 |
See Disperis |
| DIPHRYLLUM Raf. 1808 |
See Listera |
| DIPHYES Blume 1825 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| DIPLANTHERA Raf. 1833 |
illegitimate later homonym See Platanthera |
| DIPLECTRADEN Raf. 1836 |
See Habenaria |
| DIPLECTRUM Pers. 1807 |
See Satyrium |
| DIPLOCAULOBIUM
(Rchb.f.) Kraenzl. 1910
| (None) Gr. diplous,double; kaulos,stem; bios,life;
alluding to the dimorphic form of the species pseudobulbs.
There are about 100 epiphytic species in this genus distributed from Malaysia to Australia, New Guinea, and in the Pacific Islands. Species produce usually very pretty large star-shaped brightly-colored flowers. The flowers are short-lived often only lasting one day. Kränzlin elevated this sub-section of genus Dendrobium to genus rank. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DIPLOCONCHIUM Schauer 1843 |
See Agrostophyllum |
| DIPLODIUM Sw. 1810 |
See Pterostylis |
| DIPLOPRORA
Hook.f. 1890
| (Dpra.) Gr. di-,double; proira,prow; in allusion to the apex of the
lip
in this type species.
There are about five species in this genus distributed from India, Sri Lanka, east to China and Taiwan. Species are small epiphytic herbs with short slender stems. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DIPODIUM
R.Br. 1810
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. dis, di,two; podion,little foot;
alluding to the prominent stalks in the pollinarium supporting the
pollinia.
There are about 20 diverse epiphytic and terrestrial species in this genus distributed widely in both temperate and tropical regions including China, Malaysia, New Guinea, and many Pacific islands all the way south to Australia. Six of the Australian species are leafless saprophytes. Orchidists have never been successful cultivating the leafless species. | |||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DIPTERANTHUS
Barb.Rodr. 1881
| (None) Gr. dipteros,fly; anthos,flower; alluding to the resemblance of the flower to a fly.
There are about twelve small epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the dry or wet tropical forest regions of South America. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DISA
Bergius 1767
SYNONYMS
| (Disa.) Named in honor of Queen Disa, a person of Swedish mythology.
There are about 200 species in this genus distributed primarily in Southern Africa with some species also found Madagascar. Species have very distinctive blooms wit very tiny petals and lip which are dwarfed by strongly-colored sepals. Blossoms are red or orange, pink, yellow or white. Of all the species in this genus, only six have been successfully cultivated ( D. cardinalis, D. caulescens, D. racemosa, D. tripetaloides, D. uniflora, and D. venosa ) with D. uniflora being the most popular. All six species are highly hybridizable and are the basis of 85 registered hybrids. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DISERIS Wight 1852 |
See Disperis |
| DISPERIS
Sw. 1800
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. dis,twice; pera,pouch or sac; alluding to the pouches formed by the lateral sepal.
There are about 80 terrestrial species in this genus distributed mostly in Africa and a few species are in Madagascar and Asia. Habitat varies from the humus-rich forest floor and moss-laden lower tree branches to damp grasslands. They are not easy to find when not in bloom. The flowers are very complex with spurs or pouches on the lateral sepal and sometimes the dorsal sepal as well. The flower's lip is usually hidden inside the flower. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DISSORHYNCHIUM Schauer 1843 |
See Habenaria |
| DISTICHIS Thouars 1847 |
See Liparis |
| DISTOMAEA Spenn. 1825 |
See Listera |
| DITEILIS Raf. 1833 |
See Liparis |
| DITULIMA Raf. 1836 |
See Dendrobium |
| DIURIS
Sm. 1798
| (Diuris.) Gr. dis,double; oura,tail
Common name: "Double-Tails" There are about 55 deciduous terrestrial species in this genus distributed in Timor and Australia. A pretty orchid that produces an impressive floral display of brightly colored flowers that often have darker markings and patterns. This is a popular orchid because it is easy to cultivate in pots and flowers readily. Photo courtesy of Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS) | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DOCKRILLIA
Brieger 1981
| (None) Named after Alick Dockrill.
This recent genus was created in 1981 in an attempt to reduce the over 1,000 species currently classified as Dendrobiums. Twenty eight terete-leaved Dendrobium species were assigned to Dockrilla. Some authors still do not consider genus Dockrilla to be a valid and list it as a synonym of genus Dendrobium. Photo courtesy of Australasian Native Orchid Society (ANOS) | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DOLICHOCENTRUM (Schltr.) Brieger 1981 |
See Dendrobium |
| DOMINGOA
Schltr. 1913
| (Dga.)
There are only two epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the Carribean islands including Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Hispanola. Species produce an inflorescence bearing oddly attractive looking flowers. Species are allied to genus Cattleya. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DORITIS
Lindl. 1833
SYNONYMS Carteretia 
| (Dor.) Gr. dory,spear; alluding to the hastate
lip,
or Doritis,Doritis; one of the names of the goddess Aphrodite.
There are about a dozen terrestrial species in this genus. Closely allied to Phalaenopsis, Doritis has been hybridized to create genus X Doritaenopsis. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DORYCHEILE Rchb. 1841 |
See Cephalanthera |
| DOSSINIA
C.Morren 1848
| (Doss.)
Common name: "Jewel Orchid" There are about five terrestrial species in this genus distributed in the rainforests of Malaysia. Species are closely allied to Anoectochilus These are grown for their beautiful foliage rather than for their flowers and is considered one of the finest examples of terrestrial orchids. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DOTHILIS Raf. 1836 |
See Spiranthes |
| DOTHILOPHIS Raf. 1836 |
See Epidendrum |
| DOXOSMA Raf. 1836 |
See Epidendrum |
| DRACULA
Luer 1978
| (Drac.) L. dracon,dragon; alluding to the strange
appearance of the flowers.
Common name: "Little Dragon" There are about 90 species in this genus distributed in the wet forests of southern Mexico to Peru with most species found in Columbia and Ecuador when they can be found at all. Many species are very rare and extremely localized. No, these are not newly discovered species. They have been known since the 18th century. Prior to 1978, species now included in this genus were placed in the Masdevallia genus. The blossoms are very pretty with the tips of the three sepals tapering to long slender tails. There seem to be false "eyes" looking back at you from the center of the flower. Dracula species are easy to cultivate and are very popular for hybridization. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRAKAEA
Lindl. 1839
| (None) Named in honor of 19th century English botanical illustrator Miss Drake.
Common name: "Hammer orchid" There are about eleven species in this genus, five of which are not described. All species are terrestrial and are found in Western Australia. Species have a lip that mimics a female wasp attracting male wasps for pollination through "pseudocopulation". The male wasp attempts to mate with the flower. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRESSLERELLA
Luer 1976
| (None) Named in honor of Dr. Robert Dressler, noted orchidologist-taxonomist.
There are about nine relatively uncommon species in this genus distributed in the tropical forests of Central America and the South American Andes south to Peru. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRESSLERIA
Dodson 1975
| (None) Named in honor of Dr. Robert Dressler, noted orchidologist-taxonomist.
There are about ten epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the very wet forest regions from Nicaragua to Peru. Species in this genus are related to Catasetum. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRESSLERIELLA Brieger 1977 |
invalid name See Jacquiniella |
| DRYADELLA
Luer 1978
SYNONYMS Trigonanthe 
| (None) Named after the mythological Dryads.
Common name: "Pheasant-in-the-grass" There are about forty clumping epiphytic species in this genus distributed from southern Mexico, Brazil and into northern Argentina. Prior to 1978, all of these species were included in genus Masdevallia. Species produce a raceme bearing bear very small flowers which are usually hidden within the plant's foliage. The flowers bloom singly or in succession. Although these species are very easy to cultivate, the small flower size makes them not particularly popular with orchid growers. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRYMOANTHUS
Nicholls 1943
| (Dry.)
This genus contains three miniature orchids distributed in Australia and New Zealand. Species D. minutus has short flower stems and bears about six small flowers that bloom in the summer. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| DRYOPEIA Thouars 1822 |
See Disperis |
| DRYOPRIA Thouars 1822 |
See Disperis |
| DYAKIA
Christenson 1986
| (None) Maylay Dyak; Borneo aborigines.
There is only one species, D. hendersoniana, in this genus distributed only in Borneo. D. hendersoniana was originally grouped with genus Saccolabium. D. hendersoniana is also sometimes classified as Ascocentrum hendersonianum because of its similar appearance to other species in genus Ascocentrum. It has, however, broader leaves, a fleshy inflorescence and varying floral characteristics. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
Linda's Orchid Page - http://orchidlady.com
The Orchid Lady's Orchid Encyclopedia
Copyright © 1996-2002 Linda Fortner. All rights reserved.
Contents may not be copied or reproduced without prior permission.