Cryptostylis Robert Brown
Prod. 317 (1810)

Introduction:Some 20 species are known from North India through Ceylon, Philippines to New Guinea, Australia and down to New Caledonia. The genus has been extensively studied in Australia and a partnership has been discovered with the male ichneumon wasps in a remarkable occurrence termed as pseudocopulation.

Derivation of genus name: Described by Robert Brown in 1810 the genus name refers to the very short column which is surrounded by the basal lobes of the labellum. From the Greek cryptos meaning 'hidden' and stylos meaning 'style'.

Type species: Cryptostylis erecta R. Br. This is an Australian species

Characteristics of the genus: Evergreen terrestrials, some are saprophytic with erect, leathery leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus is characterized by its 'upside-down' flowers which have a very large labellum. The labellum is mostly reddish with hairs or glands. The plants are 20 - 40 cm tall with two to several erect ovate-acute stalked, glabrous leaves. Leaves are pale to dark green with or without a distinct network of veins and mottling; many-flowered; flowers non-resupinate, sepals longer than petals, labellum erect; column very short with lateral auricles.

Number of species in Papua New Guinea:
six species from Papua New Guinea,
C. apiculata J.J. Smith
C. arachnites (Bl.) Hassk = C. fulva Schlechter = C. papuana Schlechter
C. arfakiensis J.J. Smith
C. carinata J.J. Smith
C. maculata J.J. Smith
C. sigmoida J.J. Smith
and five species are recognized in Irian Jaya:
C. concava Schlechter
C. gracilis Schlechter
C. hamadryas Schlechter
C. lancilabris Schlechter
C. sororia Schlechter

View photo: Cryptostylis arachites(Bl.) Hassk.

Species shown here:
Cryptostylis arachites (Bl.) Hassk.
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live specimen collected at Pindiu, Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province
Key to Illustration: plant habit, inflorescence and flower

Cryptostylis sp
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft
Key to Illustration: plant habit, inflorescence and flower

Habitat: boggy marshes at higher elevations

Conservation status: not known