Xerorchis

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Xerorchis
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Xerorchideae
Genus: Xerorchis
Schltr.

Species
See text.

Xerorchis (from Greek xeros, dry, and orchis, testicle-shaped) is a genus in the subfamily Epidendroideae, which belongs to the Orchidaceae family. This is a very primitive genus consisting of terrestrial orchids.

Habitat

Xerorchis thrives in South America.

Abnormality

It is unclear whether this genus should be classified in the lower or higher epidendroids.

Xerorchis has 8 pollinia, hence similar to the more advanced epidendroid genera of Epidendreae and Arethuseae. Yet its morphology, with unthickened stems and persistent leaves, is that of a bambusoid grass and makes it more similar to Tropidieae or Triphoreae.

Species