Coelogyne Lindley
Collect. botanica (1821), sub t. 33

Introduction: Some hundred twenty known species are distributed from China and the Himalayas throughout S.E. Asia to the Pacific Islands

Derivation of genus name: The genus name founded in 1822 by John Lindley was derived from the Greek koilos (hollow) and gyne (female), probably referring to the deep set stigmatic cavity found in the genus.

Type species: Coelogyne puntulata Ldl.

Characteristics of the genus: They can be very large epiphytic plants, which often have showy, delicately coloured blooms. Coelogyne species are easily recognized by their ovoid, conical or cylindrical pseudobulbs from which 1 or 2 leaves arise at the apex. The leaves are broad, elliptic and plicate.

Number of sections and/or subsections in genus: The genus is divided into 14 sections

Number of species in New Guinea: In New Guinea we know of C. fragrans, C. truncicola, C. asperata, C. beccarii and C. macdonaldii (syn. C. susanae)

Species line drawings:
Coelogyne beccarii Reichenbach
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft (click link to view full size drawing)

Coelogyne macdonaldii F. von Mueller
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft (click link to view full size drawing)

Coelogyne truncicola
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft
from live specimen ex Moro, Lake Kutubu (click link to view full size drawing)

Photos: Coelogyne species

Habitat: Species of the genus Coelogyne can be found growing in dense forests as well as on completely exposed sites. They are epiphytic and lithophytic. The plants are very hardy and can withstand long period of droughts.

Conservation status: not threatened