Wullschlaegelia Explained

Wullschlaegelia is a genus of orchids, (family Orchidaceae), consisting of two species in the Caribbean Islands and to much of Latin America from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. These are myco-heterotrophic plants, lacking chlorophyll and subsisting entirely on nutrients obtained from soil fungi.^{[1] [2] [3]} The genus has previously been included in the tribe Calypsoeae, but is now included as the only genus in the tribe Wullschlaegelieae, pending further study.

• Wullschlaegelia aphylla (Sw.) Rchb. - West indies, Mexico, Central America, much of South America
• Wullschlaegelia calcarata Benth. - Central America, West Indies, northern South America

The genus is named for botanist Heinrich Wullschlägel.

Notes and References

1. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=214966 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
2. Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.C. & Rasmussen, F.N. (2006). Epidendroideae (Part One). Genera Orchidacearum 4: 1-672. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford.
3. Nir, M. Orchidaceae Antillanae, 399-400, 2000