Rank Genus | Family Orchidaceae Tribe Xerorchideae | |
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Xerorchis (from Greek xeros, dry, and orchis, testicle-shaped) is an orchid genus in the subfamily Epidendroideae, and the sole representative of tribe Xerorchideae. This is a very primitive genus consisting of terrestrial orchids. Xerorchis thrives in South America.
Taxonomy
It is unclear whether this genus should be classified in the lower or higher epidendroids.
Xerorchis has 8 pollinia, hence similar to the more advanced epidendroid genera of Epidendreae and Arethuseae. Yet its morphology, with unthickened stems and persistent leaves, is that of a bambusoid grass and makes it more similar to Tropidieae or Triphoreae.
References
Xerorchis Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA