Gastrodia Explained

Gastrodia, commonly known as potato orchids,[1] is a genus of terrestrial leafless orchids in the family Orchidaceae, about ninety of which have been described. Orchids in this genus have fleshy, upright stems and small to medium-sized resupinate flowers with narrow sepals and petals. They are native to Asia (China, the Russian Far East, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent), Australia, New Zealand, central Africa, and various islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Description

Orchids in the genus Gastrodia are leafless, terrestrial, mycotrophic herbs with a fleshy, underground rhizome and an upright flowering stem with a few to many brownish, resupinate flowers. The sepals and petals are fused to form a bell-shaped or irregular tube with the tips free. The petals are usually much smaller than the sepals and the labellum has three lobes and is fully enclosed in the tube.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Taxonomy

The genus Gastrodia was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. The type species is Gastrodia sesamoides.[7]

List of species

The following is a list of species of Gastrodia recognised by Plants of the World Online as of September 2021:

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 370.
  2. Web site: Chen . Xinqi . Gale . Stephen W. . Cribb . Phillip J. . Gastrodia . 5 November 2018 . Flora of China.
  3. Web site: Weston . Peter H. . Genus Gastrodia . Royal Botanic Garden Sydney . 9 November 2018.
  4. Web site: Jeanes . Jeff . Gastrodia . Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria . 9 November 2018.
  5. Web site: Gastrodia . State Herbarium of South Australia . 9 November 2018.
  6. Web site: Genus Gastrodia . Orchids of New Guinea . 9 November 2018.
  7. Web site: Gastrodia. APNI. 9 November 2018.