Dryadorchis

Dryadorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is endemic to New Guinea.

Description
The stems are very short, and they bear subfalcate leaves. The racemose inflorescences have a swollen rhachis. They produce short-lived flowers with a long, slim column, which houses four pollinia. The unspurred labellum has a concavity in its centre.

Etymology
The genus name of Dryadorchis refers to Dryad, a tree nymph or tree spirit in Greek mythology.

Ecology
Dryadorchis grows epiphytically at elevations of 0-1700 m above sea level.

Proposed merging with other genera
It was proposed to merge this genus with Sarcochilus and Thrixspermum, which however was rejected.

Species
It contains 5 known species, which are all endemic to New Guinea:


 * 1) Dryadorchis barbellata Schltr.
 * 2) Dryadorchis dasystele Schuit. & de Vogel
 * 3) Dryadorchis huliorum (Schuit.) Christenson & Schuit.
 * 4) Dryadorchis minor Schltr.
 * 5) Dryadorchis singularis (J.J.Sm.) Christenson & Schuit.