Chamaeanthus Schlechter ex J.J. Smith
Orch. Jav. (1905), 552
Introduction: A small genus of some eight known species, distributed from Malaya, Java to New Guinea and New Caledonia. These epiphytic plants of the lowland forests are closely related to the genus Calymmanthera Schltr.
Author and derivation of genus name: Greek chamai (lowly, prostate), anthos (flower). Referring to the dwarfness of the flower
Type species: Chameanthus brachystachys Schltr.
Characteristics of genus: They are inconspicuous plants with only a few leaves and short stems. The tiny flowers have a length of around 3 mm.
Number of species in New Guinea: Schlechter described two species for New Guinea, C. gracilis and C. laxus.
Conservation status:
not threatened
