Microchilus

For the insect genus, see Microchilus (beetle).

Microchilus
Microchilus arietinus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Orchidoideae
Tribe: Cranichideae
Subtribe: Goodyerinae
Genus: Microchilus
C.Presl.
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Aspidogyne Garay in Bradea 2: 200 (1977)
    • Kreodanthus Garay in Bradea 2: 198 (1977)
    • Ligeophila Garay in Bradea 2: 194 (1977)
    • Platythelys Garay in Bradea 2: 196 (1977)
    • Rhamphorhynchus Garay in Bradea 2: 196 (1977)
    • Stephanothelys Garay in Bradea 2: 199 (1977)

Microchilus is a neotropical genus of about 261 species belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae).[2] The native range of this genus is tropical & subtropical America.

It was first described by Carl Borivoj Presl in 1827,[3] but the genus was not widely recognized until it was separated in 2002 by P. Ormerod from the genus Erythrodes s. str.. It corresponds to its New World species. The two genera were distinguished by the different characters of the column and pollinia. It need dissecting the flowers, to see the differences at generic level with Erythrodes.

In 2005, another 32 new species were added to this genus by Ormerod.[4]

The horticultural abbreviation for this genus is Mcr.

  1. ^ "Microchilus C.Presl | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  2. ^ Pridgeon, A.M.; Cribb, P.J.; Chase, M.W.; Rasmussen, F.N. (2003). Genera Orchidacearum Volume 3: Orchidoideae (Part two). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 121. ISBN 0-19-850711-9.
  3. ^ Reliq Reliq. Haenk. 1: 94 (1827)
  4. ^ New species : Orchid Research Newsletter 47 (January 2006); Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.