Cadetia section Cadetia
Rhizome short. Pseudobulbs almost round to weakly 4-angled in cross-section, with rounded angles. Inflorescences arising from the leaf-axil, their base enveloped by a spathe. Flowers apparently sometimes short-lived, otherwise lasting at least several days. Ovary usually with soft spine-like hairs or papillae, rarely glabrous (only in Cadetia taylorii (F.Muell.) Schltr.), round in cross-section.
Distribution
Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, Moluccas, New Guinea, Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji. About 10 species; in New Guinea c. 7 species.
Habitat
Epiphytes in lowland forest.
Notes
With the exception of Cadetia taylorii, members of this section are easily recognised by the conspicuous papillae or thick pointed hairs on the ovary. The species of sect. Cadetia are often difficult to distinguish, differing mainly in the shape of the midlobe of the lip, and our studies indicate that several names should be relegated to synonymy. Records for the occurrence of Cadetia taylorii in New Guinea have not been backed up by actual specimens collected there, and we conclude that this species must be considered an Australian endemic.