Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968
As it is presently understood, Eulophia comprises some 230 species (Thomas 1998). It is most diverse in tropical and southern Africa, with substantial diversity elsewhere only in Madagascar and tropical Asia. About 40 species are found in Asia, mostly tropical in distribution, but the range of E. dabia (D.Don) Hochr. extends into temperate central Asia in Turkestan, Afghanistan, and western China. A few Asiatic species are found in northeastern Australia and southwestern Pacific islands. Of these, E. spectabilis (Dennst.) Suresh is autogamous in the region, and E. zollingeri (Rchb.f.) J.J.Sm. is holomycotrophic. Peloric forms of E. pulchra (Thouars) Lindl. are common in the Pacific portion of its distribution.
Eulophia alta (L.) Fawc. & Rendle is the only species reliably reported from both sides of the Atlantic, in tropical America, where it is widespread from Florida and the Caribbean south to Brazil, and in tropical Africa. It is one of only two species in the genus found in the Americas.
Many species in the genus are widespread. For example, both E. petersii (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. and E. speciosa (R.Br. ex Lindl.) Bolus range from the Arabian Peninsula to South Africa. Eulophia streptopetala is found from Ethiopia to the Cape. Eulophia guineensis ranges from Sierra Leone in western Africa east to Ethiopia and south to Zimbabwe. Eulophia livingstoniana (Rchb.f.) Schltr., E. cucullata (Sw.) Steud., and E. tuberculata Bolus are all found in Africa and Madagascar. Eulophia pulchra is even more widespread from tropical Africa and Madagascar across tropical Asia and the Malay Archipelago to New Guinea, the Philippines, and southwestern Pacific islands. The broad latitudinal spread of some species, e.g., E. cucullata and E. streptopetala, may be linked to polyploidy. (PC).
The centre of diversity of the genus is Africa where Eulophia species can be found in a wide variety of habitats from the margins of deserts to permanent marshes and from dry savanna woodlands to wet tropical forests. Such adaptability may be explained, at least in part, by their storage organs, whether fleshy rhizomes, tubers or pseudobulbs, that allow them to survive extended periods of drought. Indeed, within their specific environments, many species have widespread ranges, which may be one consequence of polyploidy noted within some species, such as E. cucullata and E. streptopetala (Hall 1965; Poggio et al. 1986).
The succulent Eulophia petersii, resembling a Sansevieria Thunb. in its habit with prominent conical to fusiform pseudobulbs and two or three succulent, leathery leaves, is drought-resistant. It is one of the few orchids found in arid, semi-desert habitats in northeastern Africa, the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, and throughout tropical east Africa.
Seasonal grasslands and savanna woodland (the latter referred to as miombo in south-central Africa), running west across to east Africa and south to south-central Africa, are the habitats of many species, including a number of holomycotrophic (often termed ‘saprophytic’) and semi-holomycotrophic species. The former, such as E. richardsiae P.J.Cribb, lack green leaves and appear only when flowering. The latter, including E. longisepala Rendle, E. subsaprophytica Schltr., and E. paradoxa, flower when leafless, but short leaves appear after the infl orescence has died or set seed. The holomycotrophic species have swollen subterranean rhizomes and no roots. The semi-holomycotrophic species usually have subterranean chains of pseudobulbs of various shapes and sizes as well as true roots.
Leafy species are common in wetter habitats. Eulophia horsfallii (Bateman) Summerh. and its allies are found in evergreen montane forests, often close to running water. Their pseudobulbs are mostly subterranean and often form chains. Their leaves are noticeably pleated and often large and broad. Tropical African E. euglossa (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f., E. gracilis Lindl., and E. guineensis occur in deep shade in evergreen forests in brown soils on ironstone. The last will grow on rocks in hollows with a little soil and humus in which the roots can elongate. A leafless exception is the holomycotrophic species, E. galeoloides Kränzl., which grows from a rootless tuber in leaf-litter and deep shade of evergreen forests.
Many species are found in grasslands in eastern and southcentral Africa, especially the brightly coloured species allied to E. euantha, E. thomsonii, and E. walleri. Others prefer a wetter habitat, namely seasonally wet grasslands, called dambos in south-central Africa and vleis in South Africa. Eulophia cucullata, E. latilabris Summerh., E. speciosa, and allied species have chains of subterranean pseudobulbs but relatively narrow leaves. These species can be widespread, found throughout tropical and into southern Africa. Eulophia speciosa ranges from western Africa into south-west of the Arabian Peninsula and south to South Africa. A few species, including E. cucullata, E. hians Spreng. var. nutans (Sonder) S.Thomas, E. livingstoneana, and E. clitellifera, are found in both Africa and Madagascar, but most Madagascan species are endemic. A few species grow in permanent swamps and marshes, notably E. caricifolia (Rchb.f.) Summerh. and its allies, which have elongated cylindrical rhizomes, not unlike Typha L. (Typhaceae) and other swamp plants. Only two species, E. alta and E. ecristata Ames, are found in the tropical Americas. The former has an amphi-Atlantic distribution, as it is also found in tropical Africa. Africa and Madagascar do not share any species with Asia and Australasia. Asia has more than 50 species, most in grassland, woodland or forest. Eulophia spectabilis, found from India and China to Fiji, is one of the most widespread of all species. Likewise, the holomycotrophic E. zollingeri ranges from China and Japan to northern Australia. Both species may be autogamous in parts of their ranges. (PC).
Terrestrial or less commonly lithophytic herbs, chlorophyll deficient (heteromycotrophic) or holomycotrophic. Roots basal, often with a well-defined white velamen. Perennating organ stem-like or pseudobulbous if above ground, rhizomatous or tuberous if subterranean, cylindrical, fusiform, conical or ovoid, homoblastic. Leaves linear, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, acute to acuminate, coriaceous, articulate or not to a sheathing base; rarely lacking chlorophyll and scale-like in holomycotrophic species. Inflorescence lateral, simple or rarely branching; bracts persistent. Flowers green or brown to coloured, occasionally bicoloured. Dorsal sepal free, oblong, elliptic, lanceolate or oblanceolate, reflexed, erect or porrect; lateral sepals oblique at base and decurrent on column foot, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, similar or dissimilar to sepals, often larger, broader and distinctively coloured compared to sepals. Labellum free to base or fused to base of column, trilobed, spurred at base, lateral lobes free or fused to base of column, midlobe flat or convex; callus two- or three-ridged or papillose. Column usually with a foot; pollinia two, globose, stipe solitary, triangular to oblong, viscidium oblong, elliptic to lunate. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Small, medium or large terrestrial or rarely lithophytic herbs; roots slender to stout, basal or adventitious, often with a well-defined velamen. Perennating organs stem-like, pseudobulbous or tuber-like, above the ground or more commonly underground, conical, cylindrical or irregular in shape, several-noded. Leaves usually present and green but in some species much reduced, scale-like and brown or buff; green leaves 1–many, thin-textured to fleshy or coriaceous, with or without prominent longitudinal veins, linear, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, sheathing at the base; scale leaves when present sheathing. Inflorescences basal, laxly to subdensely many-flowered, usually racemose, rarely branching. Flowers small to large, sometimes showy and brightly coloured. Sepals and petals similar or with the petals much broader, free to base or with the lateral sepals fused at the base to the column-foot. Lip 3-lobed, spurred at the base, usually with a callus of ridges and/or papillae on upper surface. Column short to long, with or without a column-foot; anther-cap entire or 2-lobed at the apex; pollinia 2, subglobose; stipes solitary, triangular to oblong; viscidium oblong, elliptic or lunate.
M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS
Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:2. 1998
Geodorum consists of five species, widespread in southern and southeastern Asia from India and southern China south to the Malay Archipelago, New Guinea, the Philippines, northeastern Australia, and southwestern Pacific islands. (PC).
Species occur in dry woodland, forests, scrub, and in rocky places from sea level to 1600 m. (PC).
Terrestrial herbs. Roots basal. Pseudobulb almost spherical, homoblastic, few-leaved. Leaves pleated, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, acute to acuminate, sheathing at base, the sheaths forming a false stem. Infl orescence lateral, simple, recurved apically, peduncle bearing several well-separated sheaths, rachis strongly recurved; bracts persistent. Flowers not opening widely, resupinate, white, pink or yellow, marked with purple venation on the labellum. Dorsal sepal free, oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, refl exed or erect; lateral sepals oblique at base, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, similar to sepals but often shorter and broader, porrect. Labellum free to base, entire, concave-cucullate or obscurely trilobed, lacking a spur, callose in apical half or rarely at base; callus two- or three-ridged. Column usually with a foot; pollinia two, subglobose, cleft; stipe solitary, obovate; viscidium circular to semi-elliptic. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Eulophiella includes three species, all endemic to Madagascar. (PC).
Eulophiella roempleriana grows in the crowns of Pandanus Parkinson (Pandanaceae) and Dypsis Noronha ex Mart. (Arecaceae) in swampy forests from sea level to 1200 m. Eulophiella elisabethae is found in coastal forest up to 200 m elevation on the palm Dypsis fibrosa (C.H.Wright) Beentje & J.Dransf. Eulophiella ericophila Bosser is terrestrial in montane ericoid scrub between 1300 and 1500 m (Du Puy et al. 1999). (PC).
Epiphytic or terrestrial herbs. Roots basal. Pseudobulb fusiform or ovoid, homoblastic, three- to five-leaved. Leaves lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, acute to acuminate, pleated, articulate or not to a sheathing base. Inflorescence basal, racemose, simple; bracts deciduous. Flowers cupped, white, pink or rose-purple, marked with yellow on the callus. Dorsal sepal free, elliptic to obovate-elliptic, erect to porrect; lateral sepals oblique at base, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, obovate to elliptic, often shorter and broader than sepals. Labellum free to base of column, trilobed, unspurred at base, much smaller than other perianth parts; lateral lobes free to base of column, midlobe flat; callus two- or three-ridged. Column with a foot; pollinia two, subglobose; stipe solitary, triangular to oblong; viscidium oblong, elliptic to lunate. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:2. 1998
Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968
Ecology of Paralophia was discussed by Hermans and Cribb (2005). Paralophia epiphytica is an epiphyte on Elaeis guineensis Jacq., Raphia farinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl., and probably also Dypsis Noronha ex Mart. palms, climbing among leaf bases on trunks with basal roots deeply embedded in the soft sheath tissue. Paralophia palmicola grows on trunks of the palm Ravenea xerophila Jum. and on Didieriaceae from sea level to 200 m.
It is difficult to determine the most likely native host tree of P. epiphytica because both palms on which it has been found are almost certainly introduced. Raphia farinifera is almost certainly an introduction from tropical Africa because it is always found growing near villages or in plantations in Madagascar (Dransfield and Beentje 1995). Oil palm is also an introduction in this area but may be native elsewhere in Madagascar (Dransfield, personal communication). The orchid grows on the bases of the palm trunks, running through their leaf bases with the leaves and stems of the orchid hanging in a curtain all around the palm trunk. Its natural host cannot be Ravenea xerophila, the palm that supports E. palmicola (H.Perrier) P.J.Cribb, because it is rare (reduced to about 65 mature trees) and grows only in the dry, spiny, Didieriaceae/ Euphorbia forests on laterite and gneiss between 200 and 700 m elevation (Dransfield and Beentje 1995). That is a drier habitat and distant from the type locality of E. epiphytica. John Dransfield (personal communication) suggested that Beccariophoenix madagascariensis Jum. & H.Perrier and Dypsis fibrosa (C.H.Wright) Beentje & J.Dransf., both found in suitable habitats nearby, might be searched for the orchid. The crown of the former may be a suitable habitat for the orchid, but we have examined all trees in the southern population, which is north of the type locality of P. epiphytica, and the orchid was not found there. Dypsis fibrosa is a host of other epiphytic orchids and a widespread species. In the region it can be found in littoral and lowland peat-swamp forests on white sand. It seems the likeliest native host for the orchid. (PC).
Epiphytic herbs with many-noded, stem-like rhizomes resembling those of a monopodial orchid. Roots basal. Perennating organ cylindrical or pseudobulbous, fusiform, homoblastic, many-leaved. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, obscurely pleated, articulated to a sheathing base. Inflorescence lateral, arising opposite leaves in upper part of stem, racemose, simple; bracts persistent. Flowers with pale yellow sepals and petals and a white labellum veined with pink or rose-purple. Dorsal sepal free, lanceolate, acute, suberect with an upcurved tip; lateral sepals oblique at base, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, elliptic-lanceolate, acute, porrect or spreading, shorter and broader than sepals. Labellum free to base of column, trilobed, spurred at base, callose, lateral lobes free to base of column, midlobe fl at; callus two- or three-ridged; spur conical. Column with a foot; anther cap conical, pollinia two, subglobose; stipe solitary, triangular to oblong; viscidium semi-lunate. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Paralophia comprises only two species, both endemic to Madagascar. (PC).
Acrolophia, a genus of seven species, is entirely confined to South Africa. Previously cited as the only non-South African species, Acrolophia paniculata Cribb (Cribb 1977) is now placed in the genus Eulophia (as E. callichroma; Cribb 1989). Most species occur between Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape) and Saldanha (Western Cape). Thus, Acrolophia is the only genus of Epidendroideae that is centred in the Cape. (HK, PL).
Acrolophia species grow in fynbos or among bushes farther north. Flowering is enhanced by fire, and one species, A. ustulata Schltr. & Bolus, appears to be entirely fire-dependent. There is evidence that peak fl owering in this species is in the second year after fire. Acrolophia ustulata is unusual in the genus because it occurs in two colour forms (yellow–green and maroon). Plants of this genus usually grow scattered or in small clumps, but A. ustulata has been recorded in extensive colonies after burning. (HK, PL).
Glabrous, terrestrial herbs, normally evergreen, with rhizomes and fasciculate roots. Stem leafy, erect. Leaves cauline but clustered in lower portion of stem, distichous and fan-like, conduplicate, linear to narrowly lanceolate, coriaceous. Inflorescence terminal; bracts chartaceous. Flowers resupinate or not, reddish brown, white or green; pedicels longer than ovaries. Sepals spreading, lorate to lanceolate. Petals similar but shorter and wider, normally bent over column. Labellum shallowly trilobed, mostly spurred, midlobe spreading, sometimes curved and apically refl exed, with crenulate margin and papillae on disc, lateral lobes free. Column with a foot; anther incumbent; pollinarium with two hard, waxy pollinia, a single stipe, and viscidium; stigma in a cavity under beak-like rostellum. (HK, PL).
Cymbidiella flabellata grows on sedge tussocks in sphagnum bogs on sandy soils and in Philippia Klotzsch (Rosaceae) scrub from sea level to 1500 m. Cymbidiella pardalina is an epiphyte in humid evergreen forest, usually growing in association with Platycerium madagascariense Baker, between 500 and 1500 m in elevation. Cymbidiella falcigera (Rchb.f.) Garay grows epiphytically on palms in swampy forest from sea level to 400 m. (PC).
Terrestrial or epiphytic herbs with many-noded rhizomes. Roots basal. Pseudobulb fusiform, homoblastic, many-leaved. Leaves linear–lanceolate to lanceolate or elliptic–lanceolate, acute to acuminate, pleated, with a sheathing base. Inflorescences basal, racemose; bracts persistent. Flowers with cream, yellow–green or green sepals and petals and a white or pale green labellum spotted and veined with black or red. Dorsal sepal free, oblong– lanceolate to oblong–elliptic, spreading or incurved; lateral sepals oblique at base, falcate, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, porrect, similar to sepals but shorter and broader except in C. pardalina (Rchb.f.) Garay where heavily spotted with black. Labellum free to base of column, trilobed in basal part, callose, lateral lobes free to base of column, midlobe elliptic to flabellate, usually with undulate margins, strongly bilobed in C. pardalina; callus obscure or ridged. Column lacking a foot; anther cap conical, pollinarium with two, subglobose pollinia, stipe solitary, triangular to oblong, viscidium semi-lunate. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Cymbidiella is a genus of three species, all endemic to Madagascar. (PC).
George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968
Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:2. 1998
Oeceoclades comprises about 50 species, widespread in Madagascar and the African tropics. It is also found in tropical Asia, the southwestern Pacific islands, Australia, and recently the Neotropics. The centre of diversity lies in Madagascar. Oeceoclades pulchra (Thouars) M.A.Clem. & P.J.Cribb ranges from tropical Africa and Madagascar to tropical Asia, Australia, and the southwestern Pacific islands. Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl. is widespread in the tropical Americas as well as tropical Africa and Madagascar. Stern (1988) reasoned that this species originated in Africa and may have then seeded across the Atlantic in the Paleocene (54 million years ago) when Africa and South America were only 500 miles apart and spanned by volcanic islands, promoted by the development of autogamy; this hypothesis can be discounted due to the low levels of genetic divergence in this genus. It has to be a recent long-distance dispersal, perhaps man-assisted. It is weedy and is actively expanding its range. (PC, AP).
Many coriaceous-leaved species grow in sandy soils in dry forests and scrub at sea level and slightly higher elevations inland. A few coriaceous-leaved species are found in dry tropical forests on limestone in karst areas. The plicate-leaved species are found in moister tropical evergreen forests, often in montane and low-elevation forests, from sea level to 1400 m. (PC).
Terrestrial herbs, rarely epiphytic.Pseudobulbs set close together, heteroblastic, ovoid to fusiform, 1–3-leaved at the apex.Leaves coriaceous, conduplicate, not plicate, often variegated, usually petiolate with the petiole articulate above the base.Inflorescences arising from base of the pseudobulb, simple or branched, several- to many-flowered.Flowers resupinate, relatively small, thin-textured.Sepals and petals free, variously spreading, subsimilar, the petals usually shorter and broader than the sepals.Lip spurred, 3-lobed, the mid-lobe usually 2-lobed or emarginate so that the lip appears 4-lobed; disk either with 2 quadrate or triangular calli at the mouth of the spur or with 3 variously thickened, parallel ridges which, together with the lateral veins, are sparsely but distinctly papillose or hirsute.Column erect, rather short, oblique at the base; anther cucullate or cristate; pollinia 2, ovoid or pyriform, on a short or rudimentary stipes; viscidium large; stigmata confluent; rostellum short.
Terrestrial or rarely lithophytic herbs. Roots basal. Perennating organ stem-like or pseudobulbous, cylindrical, fusiform, conical or ovoid, heteroblastic, often angular in cross-section. Leaves linear, lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, acute to acuminate, conduplicate and coriaceous or plicate, articulate at base, usually petiolate, green or mottled with light and dark green, rarely flushed with purple. Infl orescence lateral, usually exceeding leaves, simple or branching; bracts inconspicuous, persistent, rarely with an extrafl oral nectary. Flowers white, yellow, green or brown, sometimes purplestriped; labellum white or yellow with purple venation. Dorsal sepal free, erect to porrect, obovate to spatulate; lateral sepals oblique at base, otherwise similar to dorsal sepal. Petals free, similar or dissimilar to sepals, obovate to elliptic-oblong, often broader than sepals, often porrect. Labellum free to base, trilobed, spurred at the base, callose, lateral lobes free to base of column, midlobe fl at or convex; callus two- or three-ridged. Column with a distinct foot; pollinia two, ovoid or pyriform. Ovary cylindrical, grooved. (PC).
Terrestrial, rarely epiphytic herbs. Pseudobulbs close together, usually ovoid to fusiform, ± approximate, usually heteroblastic (with only one internode elongated, the remaining basal ones very short), apex 1–3-leaved, up to 15 cm. long and 3 cm. broad, but often narrower. Leaves usually with duplicate vernation, coriaceous, conduplicate, often variegated, usually petiolate, the petiole articulate some distance above the base and sometimes above the middle, the line of articulation consisting of a number of irregular blunt or acute teeth or occasionally ± regular. Inflorescences arising from the base of the pseudobulb, often exceeding the leaves, simply racemose or frequently paniculate; bracts inconspicuous, rarely with a basal extrafloral nectary. Flowers resupinate, rather small, thin in texture. Sepals and petals free, variously spreading, similar, the petals usually slightly shorter and broader. Lip decurved, spurred, 3- or apparently 4-lobed; side lobes erect; mid-lobe usually lobulate or emarginate; disc either with 2 approximate, quadrate or triangular calli at the spur entrance or with 3 variously thickened, parallel ridges which together with the lateral nerves are sparsely but distinctly papillose or hirsute. Column erect, short, oblique at the base or with a short foot; anther cucullate or cristate; pollinia 2, ovoid or pyriform, on a short or rudimentary stipe; viscidium large; stigmata confluent; rostellum short.
Apart from their appeal as occasionally cultivated ornamentals, Eulophia species have been used in several ways throughout their range as reported by Lawler (1984). As food sources, roots or tubers of several species have been variously prepared and consumed throughout southern Africa and also in Madagascar, India, and Indonesia. Salep is prepared from tubers of such species as E. campestris and E. nuda in India and Pakistan. Plants of some species have been used as charms in southern Africa. In Malawi the roots of plants are used to seal cracked pots. The fruit and root of one unidentified species are used as a poison in the Central African Republic.
Many species have been used in folk medicine. In Africa, gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, and skin disorders were treated with preparations from tubers or roots. In India, rhizomes and tubers were once used to treat everything from cardiac and respiratory complaints to swollen lymph nodes and tumours. In both Africa and India, rootstocks have been recommended as aphrodisiacs. (AP).
Tubers of Geodorum have been eaten by Aboriginal people in Queensland, Australia. (AP).
Other than being rarely cultivated as ornamentals, there are no known uses of Eulophiella. (AP).
There are no known uses of either species of Paralophia, and neither is in general cultivation. (AP).
There are no known uses of Acrolophia, and it is not common in cultivation. (AP).
There are no medicinal or dietary uses recorded for Cymbidiella, but it is a showy and desirable ornamental. Cultivation notes for it are provided under Eulophiinae. (AP).
Some species such as O. maculata and O. pulchra are sometimes cultivated. An extract of an unidentified species is drunk as an aphrodisiac (reported as Eulophidium, Lawler 1984). (AP).
