Alphabetical Listing - S -
| SACCIDIUM Lindl. 1835 |
See Holothrix |
| SACCOCHILUS Blume 1810 |
See Thrixspermum |
| SACCOGLOSSUM
Schltr. 1912
| (None) Gr. sakkos,sac; glossa,tongue; alluding to the sac-shape (saccate) of the
lip.
There are about five monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed in New Guinea. Species produce an inflorescence bearing white flowers with a sac-like lip. Species are related to genus Bulbophyllum. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SACCOLABIUM
Blume 1825
| (Saccm.) Gr. sakkos,bag, sac; labium,lip;
alluding to the sac-shaped (saccate) lip.
There are only a dozen or so monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed from the Himalayas to Indonesia, Malaysia, Java, and New Guinea. Species produce single-flower inflorescences. The flower does not open widely and has a relatively large spur. Originally a broadly defined genus, Saccolabium had well over 100 species classified as members of the group. Over the years, however, most have been move to more species descriptive genera leaving only a few species with a flower characteristic of a completely footless column. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SACOILA Raf. 1836 |
See Spiranthes |
| SALACISTIS Rchb.f. 1857 |
See Goodyera |
| SARCANTHUS
Lindl. 1821 |
See Cleisostoma
Garay's discussions in the Botanical Museum Leaflets of Harvard University makes the case why these species properly belong to the genus Cleisostoma. However, some authors still consider Sarcanthusto be a valid genus. |
| SARCOBODIUM Beer 1854 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| SARCOCHILUS
R.Br. 1810
SYNONYMS
| (Sarco.) Gr. sarcos,fleshy; cheilos,lip; alluding to the species flower's fleshy
lip.
There are about a dozen petite monopodial epiphytic and three lithophytic species in this genus with all but one species distributed only in Australia inhabiting the tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the continent. Species, S. hartmannii, is one of the most popular Australian orchids because of its ease of cultivation, long lived, and free-flowering habit. | |||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SARCOGLOSSUM Beer 1854 |
See Cirrhaea |
| SARCOGLOTTIS
C.Presl 1827
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. sarx,flesh; glotta,tongue
There are about 50 species in this genus distributed widely in the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Species have ornamental foliage of satiny green leaf rosettes and produce a spike with waxy green-colored, bizarre looking flowers that have a very unusual fragrance. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SARCOGLYPHIS
Garay 1972
| (None)
There are a dozen miniature monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed in southeast Asia. Photo courtesy of Jay's Key West Orchid | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SARCOPODIUM Lindl. 1850 |
See Epigeneium |
| SARCORHYNCHUS Schltr. 1918 |
See Diaphananthe |
| SARCOSTOMA
Blume 1825
| (None)
There are only seven epiphytic species in this genus distributed in Malaysia. Species were previously placed in genus Ceratostylis. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SARRACENELLA Luer 1981 |
See Pleurothallis |
| SATORKIS Thouars 1809 |
See Coeloglossum |
| SATYRIUM
Sw. 1735
SYNONYMS
| (Satm.) Gr. satrion,man orchid
There are about 100-150 terrestrial species in this genus distributed mostly in Africa with five species in Madagascar, and two species Asia. They produce dense spikes of very pretty brightly colored white, pink, red, yellow, orange, green, or purple flowers. The blooms are non-resupinate and have two distinguishing spurs at the base of the lip. Most species are difficult to cultivate. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SAYERIA Kraenzl. 1894 |
See Dendrobium |
| SCAPHOSEPALUM
Pfitzer 1888
| (None) Gr. scaphosepalos,with boat-like
sepals
There are about 33 epiphytic species in this genus distributed in cloud forests from Central America to northern South America and the Andes. Species produce a raceme of successively blooming non-resupinate flowers which are very odd looking. The lateral sepals are fused (connate) and have long antenna-like extensions (caudate). | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SCAPHYGLOTTIS
Poepp. & Endl. 1835
SYNONYMS
| (Scgl.) Gr. scaphe,bowl; glotta,tongue; alluding to the concave shape
of the flower's
lip.
There are about eighty epiphytic or terrestrial species in this genus distributed in the wet tropical forests throughout tropical America. Species typically produce small flowers on a short single-flowered or sometimes branched inflorescence Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SCAREDEDERIS Thouars 1822 |
See Dendrobium |
| SCHISMOCERAS C.Presl 1827 |
See Dendrobium |
| SCHIZOPEDIUM Salisb. 1814 |
See Cypripedium |
| SCHLECHTERELLA Hoehne 1944 |
illegitimate later homonym See Rudolfiella |
| SCHOENLEINIA Klotzsch ex Lindl. 1847 |
illegitimate later homonym See Ponthieva |
| SCHOENOMORPHUS Thorel ex Gagnep. 1933 |
See Tropidia |
| SCHOENORCHIS
Blume 1823
| (None) Gr. schoenos,reed; orchis,orchid; alluding to the linear, rush-like leaves of the original(type) species,
S. juncifolia.
There are about 25 miniature monopodial epiphytic or occasionally lithophytic species in this genus distributed from southeast Asia to New Guinea and a few Pacific islands. Species produce a raceme of very small white to purple bell-shaped flowers. Keikis are also formed along the raceme. This genus was established when Blume moved several species from genus Saccolabium. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SCHOMBURGKIA
Lindl. 1838
| (Schom.) Named in honor of 19th century German botanist Richard Schomburgk, who
explored British Guyana, discovering many new orchid species.
There are about seventeen large epiphytic or lithophytic distributed in wet forest regions of Central and South America from Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia. Species produce a branching (paniculate) inflorescence with clusters of large brightly colored flowers. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SCLEROPTERIS Schltr. 1839 |
See Cirrhaea |
| SCOLIOCHILUS Rchb.f. 1872 |
See Appendicula |
| SCOPULARIA Lindl. 1834 |
See Holothrix |
| SCUTICARIA
Lindl. 1843
| (None) L. acutia,lash; alluding to the pendent whip-like leaves.
There are only five epiphytic species in this genus distributed in Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil. Species produce few-flowered racemes, some pendent, and others erect. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SEDIREA
Garay & H.R.Sweet 1974
| (Sdr.) Anagram of genus Aerides.
"Sedirea" is "Aerides" spelled backwards.
There are only two monopodial epiphytic species in this genus distributed in China, Japan and Korea. Both species were previously placed in genus Aerides. They were separated from the genus due to differences in the typical Aerides flower structure. Flowers have a long nectar spur and have a half-open appearance. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SEIDENFADENIA
Garay 1972
| (None) Named in honor of Dr. Gunnar Seidenfaden
There is only one species, S. mitrata, in this genus distributed in Burma and Thailand. Species produce an erect inflorescence bearing a dense cluster of prized white flowers with a contrasting redish color (cerise) lip and strong candy fragrance. S. mitrata was previously placed in genus Aerides as Aerides mitrata (Rchb. 1864) but was moved because it differs in flower structure and has semiterete leaves. Species will continue to be named A. mitrata for hybrid registration. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SELENIPEDIUM
Rchb.f. 1854
SYNONYMS Solenipedium
| (Sel.) Gr. selen,crescent or the moon; pedilon,sandal; alluding
to the deeply pouch or sac like (saccate) lip.
Common name: "Moccasin flower" There are only three tall bamboo-like terrestrial species in this genus distributed from Costa Rica south to Colombia and Brazil. Species produce a raceme of non-descript flowers. Many species listed as Selenipedium are actually members of genus Phragmipedium. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SEMIPHAJUS Gagnep. 1932 |
See Eulophia |
| SERAPHYTA Fisch. & C.A.Mey. 1840 |
See Epidendrum |
| SERAPIAS
L. 1735
SYNONYMS
| (Srps.) Gr. Serapis, from Osirapis, an Egyptian deity.
There are about twelve (some authors only consider ten) terrestrial species in this genus distributed around the Mediterranean with some species found further north. One species, S. parviflora, has been found as far as southern Britain. Species are allied to the genus Orchis differing in that the flowers are spurless. Photo courtesy of Pierre-Michel Blais at Native Orchids of Provence (France) | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SERAPIASTRUM Kuntze |
See Serapias |
| SERRASTYLIS Rolfe1894 |
See Macradenia |
| SERTIFERA Lindl. & Rchb.f. 1877 |
See Elleanthus |
| SESSILIBULBUM Brieger 1976 |
invalid name See Scaphyglottis |
| SESTOCHILOS Breda 1827 |
See Bulbophyllum |
| SIAGONANTHUS Poepp. & Endl. 1835 |
Synonym of Ornithidium, See Maxillaria |
| SIEBERIA Spreng. 1817 |
See Platanthera or Habenaria |
| SIEVEKINGIA
Rchb.f. 1871
SYNONYMS Gorgoglossum
| (None) Named in honor of the 19th century mayor of Hamburg, Germany, Dr. Sieveking.
There are about fifteen (some authors say only four) epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the wet forests from Costa Rica to Bolivia. Species produce a pendent inflorescence bearing dense clusters of flowers at the apex. The flowers have unusual finely fringed (fimbriate) lip and petals. Species are allied to the genus Gongora. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SIGMATOCHILUS Rolfe 1914 |
See Chelonistele |
| SIGMATOGYNE Pfitzer 1907 |
See Panisea |
| SIGMATOSTALIX
Rchb.f. 1852
SYNONYMS Petalocentrum
| (Sgmx.) Gr.; sigma,C-shaped; stalix,stake; in allusion to the slender
arcuate (curved like a bow) column.
There are about 35 epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the wet forests from Mexico to Brazil. Species produce a pendent paniculate (branched) inflorescence with each branch bearing a single flower in succession at coordinated time intervals. Species are allied to genus Leochilus differing only in technical flower structure which resemble species in genus Cycnoches. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SKEPTROSTACHYS Garay 1982 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| SMITINANDIA
Holttum 1969
| (None) Named in honor of Mr. Tim Smitinand.
There are now four epiphytic species in this genus distributed from the northwest Himalayas to Sulawesi. Species produce a raceme densely packed with small fleshy flowers. Species were previously placed in genus Saccolabium or genus Ascocentrum differing from their original genera by their short saccate (bag or sac shaped) lip. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SOBENNIKOFFIA
Schltr. 1925
| (Sbk.) Named in honor of Rudolf Schlechter's
wife whose maiden name was Sobennikoff.
There are now four robust epiphytic or rarely terrestrial species in this genus distributed only in Madagascar. Species produce an inflorescence with five to fifteen large white flowers. Species can be distinguished from genus Angraecum by their three-lobed lip. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SOBRALIA
Ruiz & Pav. 1794
SYNONYMS
| (Sob.) Named in honor of 18th century Spanish physician and botanist Dr.
Francisco Sobral.
There are about 95 epiphytic or terrestrial species distributed in wet forests throughout tropical America. Species are characterized by long reed-like or cain-like stems and heavily veined leaves. Species typically produce an inflorescence bearing one or two very pretty but short lived flowers at a time in successive intervals. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SOLENIPEDIUM Beer 1854 |
See Selenipedium |
| SOPHRONIA Lindl. 1828 |
See Sophronitis |
| SOPHRONITELLA
Schltr. 1925
| (Sphrnt.)
Common Name: "Violet Sophronitella" There is only one dwarf epiphytic species, S. violacea, in this genus distributed only in the shady, moist forests of Brazil. S. violacea produces a short inflorescence of one or two pretty redish or purple flowers. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SOPHRONITIS
Lindl. 1828
SYNONYMS
| (Soph.) Gr. sophron,chaste, modest; diminutive of synonym genus Sophronia
There are about a dozen epiphytic or lithophytic species in this genus distributed in the wet forests through Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Species produce short either single or several-flowered inflorescences with simple-looking bright red or red-orange flowers. Species are allied to genus Cattleya and are used in hybridization to obtain small sized hybrids with deep red flowers. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | |||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SPATHOGLOTTIS
Blume 1825
SYNONYMS Paxtonia 
| (Spa.) Gr. spatha,spathe; glottis,tongue; alluding to the unusually broad
spade-like mid-lobe of the lip.
There are over forty terrestrial species in this genus distributed from southern India and China to Malaysia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and New Calidonia. Species have fibrous, epiphytic-type roots and produce a tall, thin raceme bearing successive relatively short-lived white, yellow, pink, red, or purple flowers over many months. Species are a popular garden plant in mild climates such as found in southern Florida. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| SPATHIGER Small 1913 |
See Epidendrum |
| SPECKLINIA Lindl. 1830 |
See Pleurothallis |
| SPICULAEA
Lindl. 1839
| (None) L. spiculum,sharp point or sting
There there is only one terrestrial species, S. ciliata, in this genus distributed only in Western Australia. S. ciliata produces a raceme of small greenish flowers which have a fleshy insect-like lip. Flower buds are noted for continued opening even long after the raceme has been picked. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SPIRANTHES
Rich. 1818
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. speira,coil or spring; anthos,flower; alluding
to the spirally arranged flowers of the
inflorescence.
Common name: "Ladies' tresses" There are about thirty to fifty primarily terrestrial and a few epiphytic or lithophytic species in this genus distributed globally. Most species are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world except Madagascar, tropical America and tropical Africa. There are also a few species found in more temperate regions such as three species in Europe, 20 species in North America and a few in Asia as well. Species produce a distinctive spirally twisted raceme bearing fragrant colorful flowers that have fused sepals forming a tube-like hood structure with the rest of the flower parts hidden inside except for a sometimes protruding lip. Photos courtesy of Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| STACHYANTHUS Engl. |
illegitimate later homonym See Bulbophyllum |
| STANHOPEA
Frost ex Hook. 1829
SYNONYMS Stanhopeastrum 
| (Stan.) Named in honor of Philip Henry, 4th Earl of Stanhope, who was
president of the London Medico-Botanical Society from 1829 to 1837.
There are about 55 usually epiphytic but occasionally terrestrial species in this genus distributed in the wet forests from Mexico to Brazil. Species produce a pendent inflorescence bearing one to many bizarre-looking fragrant flowers that have a "folded back" look about them. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| STANHOPEASTRUM Rchb.f. 1852 |
See Stanhopea |
| STAURITES Rchb.f. 1862 |
See Phalaenopsis |
| STAUROGLOTTIS Schauer 1843 |
See Phalaenopsis |
| STAUROPSIS Rchb.f. 1860 |
See Trichoglottis |
| STELIOPSIS Brieger 1976 |
See Stelis |
| STELIS
Sw. 1799
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. stelis,a mistletoe
There are about 600 mainly epiphytic species in this very large and diverse genus distributed widely in moist mountain forests throughout tropical America. Species produce racemes of flowers which are easily recognizable by the symmetrical rounded sepals and the very small compact petal/lip/column structure at the center. Many of the species have light sensitive flowers which only open when exposed to sunlight. Species are not popular among growers despite their ease of cultivation. Photo courtesy of Hideto Yamasaki at Brazilan Orchids | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| STELLORCHIS Thouars |
orthographic variant See Nervilia |
| STELLORKIS Thouars 1809 |
See Nervilia |
| STENIA
Lindl. 1837
SYNONYMS Stenopolen 
| (Stenia) Gr. stenos,narrow; alluding to the slender
pollinia
characteristic of species in this genus.
There are now about 15 epiphytic species distributed in wet tropical forests of Central South America as far south as Bolivia Species produce single-flowered inflorescences. Several new species have been documented in the '90s and S. glatzii was added in 2000 and S. nataliana in 2001. Photo courtesy of Jay's Key West Orchid | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| STENORRHYNCHOS
Rich. ex Spreng. 1817
SYNONYMS
| (None) Gr. stenos,narrow; rhynchos,snout; alluding to the narrow
rostellum
on the column.
There are about sixty terrestrial and epiphytic species in this genus distributed widely in tropical regions worldwide. Most species produce inflorescences with clusters of showy bright-colored flowers. | ||||||||
SPECIES
|
| STENOPOLEN Raf. 1836 |
See Stenia |
| STENORRHYNCHUS Reichb. 1828 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| STENORYNCHUS Rich. 1818 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| STENOCORYNE Lindl. 1843 |
See Bifrenaria |
| STENOGLOSSUM Kunth 1815 |
See Epidendrum |
| STENOGLOTTIS
Lindl. 1836
| (Sngl.) Gr. stenos,narrow; glotta,tongue; alluding to the very distinctive elongated
lip.
There are about four deciduous terrestrial and occasionally epiphytic species in this genus distributed in southern Africa. Species produce an erect inflorescence bearing few to many small, white, pale or dark lilac spotted flowers opening over several months. Small petals enclose the column and the sepals are oven wide. The lip is lobed, elongated, spotted, and very showy. Species are allied to genus Orchis Photo courtesy of Jay's Key West Orchid | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| STENORRHYNCHUS Reichb. 1828 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| STEREOSANDRA
Blume 1856
| (None) Gr. stereos,solid, firm; andros,stamen;
alluding to the firm texture of the anthers.
There is only one saprophytic species, S. javanica, in this genus distributed in eastern and southeast Asia. Species produce an inflorescence bearing up to 20 small white, violet, or yellow flowers with several prominent longitudinal ribs forming a loose tube-shape. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| STICHORKIS Thouars 1809 |
See Liparis |
| STIMEGAS Raf. 1836 |
See Cypripedium |
| STRATEUMA Salisb. 1812 | See Orchis |
| STRATEUMA Raf. 1836 | illegitimate later homonym, See Zeuxine |
| STURMIA Rchb.f. 1826 |
illegitimate later homonym See Liparis |
| STYLOGLOSSUM Breda 1827 |
See Calanthe |
| SULPITIA Raf. 1836 |
See Encyclia |
| SUNIPIA
Buch.-Ham. ex Lindl. 1816/1826
SYNONYMS Ione
| (None)
There are about 17 epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the higher elevations from the Himalayas to Burma and Thailand. Species resemble some species of genus Bulbophyllum differing only in where they are found and in the flower structure. There has been disagreement concerning the validity of genera Sunipia and Ione for years. Lindley established both genera, Sunipia in 1826 and Ione in 1853. Dressler lists Sunipia but not Ione. Other authors do not recognize either genus and list all species in Bulbophyllum. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SVENKOELTZIA Burns-Bal. 1989 |
See Stenorrhynchos |
| SYLVALISMIS Thouars |
See Calanthe |
| SYMPHYGLOSSUM
Schltr. 1919
| (Symphy.) Gr. symphyein,to grow together; glossa,tongue; alluding
to the lip
united with the column.
There are six epiphytic species in this genus distributed in the wet forests from Venezuela to Peru. Species are closely allied to Cochlioda differing in flower structure. Species S. sanguinea is classified as Cochlioda sanguinea for hybrid registration purposes. | ||||||
SPECIES
|
| SYNADENA Raf. 1836 |
See Phalaenopsis |
| SYNMERIA Nimmo 1839 |
See Habenaria |
| SYNOPLECTRIS Raf. 1836 |
See Sarcoglottis |
| SYNPTERA Llanos 1851 |
See Trichoglottis or Cleisostoma |
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