Gastrodia R. Brown
Prodr. (1810), 330

Introduction:A genus of about thirty deciduous, terrestrial saprophytic species distributed from Japan through India, Thailand, Malaysia to Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand.

Derivation of genus name: The genus was named by Robert Brown in 1810 in reference to the tubular flowers which are pot-bellied at the base, from the Greek gastrodes= pot-bellied.

Type species: Gastrodia sesamoides R. Br.

Characteristics of the genus: Saprophytic herbs with tuberous rhizomes. The very short or very tall, 8 - to 90 cm high inflorescence bears upside-down, tubular flowers, with the sepals fused along the margins and the petals overlapping and existing only as free tips.

Number of sections and/or subsections in genus:

Number of species in New Guinea: One species has been recorded for New Guinea, Gastrodia papuana Schltr.

Species shown here: Gastrodia papuana Schlechter
redrawn by Emmanuel Saya from the Figuren Atlas zu den Orchidaceen von Deutsch Neu Guinea

Key to Illustration:
A: flower, side view; B: dorsal sepal; C : lateral sepal; D : petal;
E : labellum; F : column, view from below; G : column, side view; H : anther;

Habitat: G. papuana is a small and inconspicuous terrestrial herb found from 1000 m above sea level. Growing in moist, sheltered forests in deep litter where the humus layer is thick.

Conservation status: not known