Erythrodes Blume
in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie; 1825, p. 410, t.72

Introduction: A genus of some one hundred species, wide-spread in the tropics and sub-tropics of both hemispheres

Derivation of genus name:The genus name is derived from the Greek word erythros (red) in an obscure reference not clearly understood

Type species: Erythrodes latifolia Blume

Characteristics of the genus: Plants are often rather handsome with variegated foliage and some of them may fall under the category of 'Jewel Orchids'. The small flowers are white to whitish green to reddish.

Number of sections and/or subsections in genus:

Number of species in New Guinea: Schlechter described seven species for New Guinea found from the tropical lowlands to an altitude of 1200 m. Howcroft states that there are about eleven species in New Guinea, some eventually may prove conspecific.

Species shown here: Erythrodes cf. glaucescens Schlechter
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live specimen ex Aseki, Wau sub-district, Morobe Province.

Key to Illustration: A: habit; B: flower, front view; C: dorsal sepal; D: lateral sepal; E: petal; F: column, labellum and spur, side view; G: column and labellum, top view

Habitat: Found in shady primary forests in leaf litter and moss cushions on forest floor, beside streams, pools and seasonal soaks in dense overhead shade.

Conservation status: not known