Macodes (Blume) Lindl.,
Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. (1840) 496
Sympodial epiphytic or terrestrial plants.Stem elongated. Leaves few, sheathing at the base, glabrous, dorso-ventrally flattened, not articulate, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence terminal, a raceme. Flowers small, resupinate or not, brown with a white lip. Sepals free. Petals free, about as long as the dorsal sepal, usually cohering at the apices. Lip without spur, not mobile, asymmetric. Column twisted, in front with two lamellae. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present. Stigma 1.
Distribution
Malesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu. About 10 species; in New Guinea c. 4 species.
Habitat
Terrestrial in lowland forest, also epiphytic on tree trunks and large branches in hill and montane forest.
Notes
A few orchid genera in New Guinea are noteworthy for the beautiful venation of the leaves of at least some of their members, e.g. Anoectochilus, Corybas, Goodyera, Macodes, and Papuaea. They are collectively known as 'Jewel Orchids' by orchid amateurs, and most belong to the subtribe Goodyerinae. In this distinguished company the genus Macodes contains, at least in New Guinea, by far the most beautiful forms. Apart from the more elaborate venation as compared to the other genera mentioned above Macodes stand out because of the strangely asymmetric flowers.
Species included on this CD-ROM:
Macodes megalantha
Macodes obscura
Macodes pulcherrima
Macodes sanderiana
Macodes dendrophila