Alphabetical Listing - M -
| MACDONALDIA Gunn ex Lindl. 1839 |
See Thelymitra |
| MACODES
(Blume) Lindl. 1840
SYNONYMS Argyrorchis Pseudomacodes 
| (Mac.) Gr. makros,long; alluding to the elongated mid-lobe of the flower's lip.
Common name: "Jewel Orchid" (Two other genera, Anoectochilus and Ludisia, possess variegated foliage and are also called "Jewel Orchids"). There are about ten rare but extremely beautiful terrestrial species in this genus distributed in the rain forests of the Malaysian region (especially Indonesia and New Guinea) and the Pacific islands. These species are cultivated more for their pretty foliage than for their small flowers. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MACRADENIA
R.Br. 1822
SYNONYMS
| (Mcdn.) Gr. makros,long; aden,gland; alluding to the elongate stipe
Common name: "Long-Gland Orchid" There are about thirteen small epiphytic species in this genus distributed in wet lowland forests from Guatemala to Brazil. Flowers are produced on a long pendent inflorescence. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| MACROCENTRUM Phil. 1871 |
illegitimate homonym See Habenaria |
| MACROCHILUS Knowles & Westc. 1837 |
See Miltonia |
| MACROCLINIUM Barb.Rodr 1889 |
See Notylia or Ornithocephalus |
| MACROLEPIS A.Rich. 1833 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| MACROPLECTRUM Pfitzer 1889 |
See Angraecum |
| MACROSTOMIUM Blume 1825 |
See Dendrobium |
| MACROSTYLIS Breda 1827 |
illegitimate later homonym See Corymborkis |
| MAELENIA Dumort. 1834 |
See Cattleya |
| MALACHADENIA Lindl. 1839 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| MALAXIS
Sol. ex Sw. 1778
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. malaxis,soft, tender; alluding to the thin texture of the leaves.
Common name: "Adder's Mouth Orchid" (North America) There are over 300 mostly small deciduous terrestrial species in this genus distributed in virtually all parts of the world concentrated in southeast Asia. One of the most complex of the orchid genera, species are closely allied to Liparis distinguished only by small non-resupinate dull-colored flowers. Photos courtesy of the Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison | ||||||||||
SPECIES
| |||||||||||
| MALLEOLA
J.J.Sm. & Schltr. ex Schltr. 1913
| (None) L. malleolus,little hammer; alluding to the hammer-shaped column
of the flower.
There are about thirty epiphytic or lithophytic species in this genus distributed from Ceylon to New Guinea. Species produce a pendent inflorescence bearing many small flowers. Species in this genus were segregated from genus Sarcanthus (Cleisostoma) due to differences in their flower size and structure. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MANNIELLA
Rchb.f. 1881
| (None)
There are only two rare species in this genus. M. gustavi has been found on a few occasions in the forests of West Africa. The latest identified species M. americana, was discovered in the Guyana Highlands of South America. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MARIARISQUETA Guinea 1946 |
See Cheirostylis |
| MARSUPIARIA Hoehne 1947 |
See Maxillaria |
| MASDEVALLIA
Ruiz & Pav. 1794
| (Masd.) Named in honor of 18th century Spanish physician and botanist Dr. Jose Masdevall.
There are over 350 mostly epiphytic species in this genus distributed from Mexico to Brazil, with most species found in the higher elevations of the Andes of Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. Species of this genus are highly popular among collectors because their flowers display a great amount of diversity in form and color. Typically, the sepals are extremely large, dwarfing the rest of the flower parts. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MATURNA Raf. 1836 |
See Gomesa |
| MAXILLARIA
Ruiz & Pav. 1794
SYNONYMS
| (Max.) Lat. maxilla,jaw-bone; alluding to the flowers'
column
and lip
of some species which somewhat resemble the jaws of an insect.
Common name: "Spider orchid," "Flame Orchid," "Tiger Orchid" There are nearly 700 mostly epiphytic species in this very large and diverse genus distributed widely throughout tropical America from Florida, through the West Indies, to Central America, Brazil, and south through Argentina. Species are well known and very popular among collectors not only for their flowers, but for the amazing variety of scent produced by the blossoms. Many species resemble genus Lycaste. Genus Maxillaria has been divided up into several subgenera which are sometimes considered valid genera in their own right including Camaridium, Dicrypta, Ornithidium, Pseudomaxillaria, and others. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| MELICLIS Raf. 1836 |
See Coryanthes |
| MECOSA Blume 1825 |
See Platanthera or Habenaria |
| MEGACLINIUM Lindl. 1826 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| MEIRACYLLIUM
Rchb.f. 1854
| (Mrclm.) Gr. meirakyllion,stripling; alluding to their reduced, creeping habit
There are only two very dwarf epiphytic or lithophytic species in this genus distributed in the cloud forests from Mexico south to Costa Rica. Characterized by the creeping habit of the plants. Species produce a short clustered inflorescence bearing red-purple flowers. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MENADENA Raf. 1836 |
See Maxillaria |
| MENADENIUM Raf. 1836 |
Synonym of Zygosepalum, See also Zygopetalum |
| MENDONCELLA
A.D.Hawkes 1963
SYNONYMS Galeottia
| (Mdcla.)
There are about ten species in this genus distributed from Mexico and British Honduras to Brazil. Species typically have large, unusually flamboyant flowers. There is some confusion over the validity of this genus. Genus Galeottia was originally established by Achille Richard in 1845 to accommodate these species. In 1963 Alex Hawkes claimed the name "Galeottia" was already used to identify a grass family and therefore established the new genus Mendoncella to replace the invalid Galeottia. Later, after further investigation however, it was discovered that the actual publication date of the orchid genus Galeottia preceded the use of the grass family name, thereby restoring valid genus status to Galeottia and making Mendoncella an illegitimate later homonym... at least as far as some authors are concerned. Confusing, isn't it? | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MENEPHORA Raf. 1836 |
See Paphiopedilum |
| MESADENELLA Pabst & Garay 1953 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| MESICERA Raf. 1825 |
See Orchis |
| MESOCLASTES Lindl. 1840 |
See Luisia |
| MESODACTYLIS Wall. 1830 |
See Apostasia |
| MESOPTERA Raf. 1833 |
illegitimate later homonym See Liparis |
| MESOGLOSSUM
Halb. 1982
| (None)
There is only one deciduous terrestrial or lithophytic species, M. londesboroughianum, in this genus distributed from Guerrero State, Mexico. M. londesboroughianum produces an erect raceme bearing many long-lasting flowers. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| METACHILUM Lindl. 1830 |
See Appendicula |
| MEXICOA
Garay 1974
| (None) Named in reference to the origin of the plant from Mexico.
There is only one epiphytic species, M. ghiesbreghtiana, in this genus distributed in humid forests of Mexico. Species produce pretty redish-brown flowers striped in white with a bright yellow double-fan-shaped lip. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MICROEPIDENDRUM Brieger 1977 |
invalid name See Epidendrum |
| MICROPERA
Lindl. 1832
SYNONYMS Camarotis
| (Micr.) Gr. mikros,small; pera,sac; alluding to the small, pouch shaped (saccate) lip.
This genus contains about fifteen to twenty long stemmed monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed widely in the Himalaya, Burma, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea. Species produce a short inflorescence bearing unusual non-resupinate yellow flowers in that they are non-symmetric due to their long twisted column. Some authors use the genus name Camarotis but Dressler lists genus Micropera and other authors combine both genera into the larger genus Sarcochilus. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MICROPHYTANTHE (Schltr.) Brieger 1981 |
See Dendrobium |
| MICROSTYLIS (Nutt.) Eaton 1822 |
See Malaxis |
| MICROTERANGIS
Schltr. ex Senghas 1985
| (None)
There are about six monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed in Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarene Islands. This genus is relatively new, being created by Senghas in 1985. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MICROTHECA Schltr. 1924 |
See Cynorkis |
| MICROTIS
R.Br. 1810
SYNONYMS Goadbyella
| (None)
There are about two dozen terrestrial species in this genus distributed from Australia, New Zealand and north to China. They are slender with usually a dense spike of numerous small green or white flowers. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MILTONIA
Lindl. 1837
SYNONYMS Macrochilus 
| (Milt.) Named in honor of Earl Fitzwilliam, Viscount Milton of Wentworth house,
Yorkshire England, a 19th century patron of horticulture.
Common name: "Pansy orchid" alluding to the flower's similarity in appearance to pansies. There are about 20 epiphytic species in this genus distributed in Brazil and Columbia and one species is found in Peru. A very popular genus among collectors due to the very pretty and sweet-scented flowers produced by the species throughout the year --often blooming more than once per year. There are two natural groups, those from Brazil with yellowish-green foliage and those found in Columbia with silver-green foliage. The Columbian species are similar to Odontoglossum. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| MILTONIOPSIS
God.-Leb. 1889
| (Mltnps.) Gr. opsis,appearance; refers to the similarity to
the genus Miltonia.
There are about six epiphytic species in this genus distributed in extremely wet cloud forests from Costa Rica to Peru. Many authors failed to use this name and instead simply added new species to genus Miltonia. In 1976 Garay and G. C.K. Dunsterville described a new specie, Miltoniopsis santanaei, and resurrected the genus for four other Central American species that were formerly listed under Miltonia. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| MINICOLUMNA Brieger 1976 |
invalid name See Epidendrum |
| MITOPETALUM Blume 1838 |
See Tainia |
| MITOSTIGMA Blume 1856 |
illegitimate later homonym See Amitostigma |
| MONACANTHUS G.Don 1839 |
See Catasetum |
| MONACHANTHUS Lindl. 1832 |
See Catasetum |
| MONANTHOS (Schltr.) Brieger 1981 |
See Dendrobium |
| MONIXUS Finet 1907 |
See Angraecum |
| MONOCHILUS Wall. ex Lindl. 1840 |
illegitimate later homonym See Zeuxine |
| MONOTRIS Lindl. 1834 |
See Holothrix |
| MONTOLIVAEA Rchb.f. 1881 |
See Habenaria |
| MONUSTES Raf. 1836 |
See Spiranthes |
| MOOREA Rolfe 1890 |
See Neomoorea |
| MORMODES
Lindl. 1836
SYNONYMS Cyclosia 
| (Morm.) Gr. mormo,phantom, frightful object; oides,looking like; alluding
to the grotesque appearance of the flowers.
Common name: "Flying bird orchid," "Goblin orchid" There are about 70 epiphytic deciduous species in this genus distributed in the wet forests from Mexico to Bloivia and Brazil. Species have bisexual flowers, with the column appearance and function differing according to it being in the male (slender and twisted) or female (straight and erect) phase. Flowers have a unique three-lobed lip configuration designed to accommodate their pollinators, species specific male Euglossine bees. Species of Mormodes are often incorrectly placed into other genera based on color rather than on structure. Species are are related to genus Catasetum and can be crossed with species of this genus often resulting bybrids with extremely bizarre flowers. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MORMOLYCA
Fenzl 1850
| (Mlca.) Gr. mormolyca,hobgoblin
There are now eight rare species in this genus distributed from Mexico to northern South America with most species located in the Andes from Venezuela to Bolivia. Species produce a yellow or yellow-brown single-flower inflorescence. They are very closely related to genus Maxillaria and genus Trigonidium. Some species were previously placed in genus Cyrtoglottis (a synonym of Podochilus) until 1959 when Garay and Wirth revised the genus Mormolyca. Species M. rigens, was originally placed in the genus Trigonidium. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MONOPHYLLORCHIS
Schltr. 1920
| (None)
There are only three very rare species in this genus distributed in Colombia. They are attractive plants that are somewhat allied to Pogonia. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MONORCHIS Agosti 1770 |
See Herminium |
| MULUORCHIS J.J.Wood 1984 |
See Tropidia |
| MYANTHUS Lindl. 1832 |
See Catasetum |
| MYCARANTHES Blume 1825 |
See Eria |
| MYODA Lindl. 1832 |
See Ludisia |
| MYODIUM Salisb. 1812 |
See Ophrys |
| MYRMECOPHILA
Rolfe 1917
| (None) Name means "ant bearing" Alluding the symbiotic relationship between
the plant and ants which colonize the hollow
pseudobulbs.
The ants defend the orchid from other harmful insects.
There are about thirteen species in this genus. For years, authors have tried to separate this genus from Schomburgkia. In 1917, Rolfe tried to separate three species (M.tibicinis, M.thompsoniana, and M. galeottiana). Kennedy tried to revive this genus by adding three more species, (M. brysiana, M. exalta, and M. wendlandii). These plants are different from other species in Schomburgkia because they bear long a branching inflorescence (panical) with reduced bracts and hollow cylindrical pseudobulbs with short broad leaves. Dressler still does not list Myrmecophila has a separate genus. Photo courtesy of Jay's Key West Orchid | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| MYROBROMA Salisb. 1807 |
See Vanilla |
| MYSTACIDIUM
Lindl. 1836
| (Mycdm.) Gr. mystax,moustache
There are about a 24 dwarf monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed in parts of Africa; one species in Tanzania and Malawi, and the rest in South Africa. Some species may be deciduous and M. gracile, is leafless. Species are allied to Aerangis and rather simulates many members of that group, but may be distinguished on technical characters of the flower. | ||||||
SPECIES
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