Bromheadia Lindley
in Edward's Bot. Reg. 27: Misc. 89 (1841

Introduction: Rare epiphytic or terrestrial plants, they are a member of the subtribe Polystachinae. About eleven rather confused species are known from Sumatra to New Guinea and Australia.

Derivation of genus name: The genus was named in 1841 by John Lindley after Sir Edward French Bromhead.

Type species: Bromheadia palustris Lindley

Characteristics of genus: The vegetative form of the plants vary more than the flowers. There are two very distinct groups in the genus. One closely resembles the strange section Aporum in the genus Dendrobium and are easily confused with this section when not in flower.

Number of species in New Guinea: 1

Species shown here: Bromheadia pulchra Schlechter

Habitat: B. pulchra Schltr. is found in New Guinea as well as north-eastern Queensland. B. pulchra has slender pseudobulbs up to 2 m tall. The flowers are borne on stems up to 20 cm long bearing one flower at the time. Flowers are about 4 cm across, opening widely, white inside and mauve to pink outside. The labellum is pale yellow. This species grows in wet habitats such as swamps, soaks and moist soils beside streams.

Conservation status: At present there are no indications that this species is under threat in New Guinea.