Genus Hippeophyllum

Hippeophyllum Schltr.,
in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 107

Sympodial epiphytic plants. Rhizome creeping, stem short. Leaves few, sheathing at the base, glabrous, laterally flattened, articulate, duplicate, leathery. Inflorescence terminal, a raceme. Flowers very small, not resupinate, green. Sepals free. Petals free, narrower than the sepals. Lip without spur, not mobile, 3-lobed. Column slender. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 4, solid-waxy, caudicles absent, stipe absent, viscidium absent.

Distribution
Malesia. About 6 species; in New Guinea 5 species.

Habitat
Epiphytes in lowland forest.

Notes
Species of Hippeophyllum are often confused with Oberonia, mainly because of the similar habit, but the genus may well be more closely related to Liparis. Hippeophyllum always has a long creeping rhizome, which is uncommon in Oberonia, and the column is slender, unlike the very short column of Oberonia. The species of Hippeophyllum are very similar indeed and badly in need of revision.

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