Introduction: Some six to seven hundred species in this genus are distributed worldwide. At least thirteen species occur in New Guinea with some authors stating as many as nineteen species.
Derivation of genus name: By Carl Ludwig von Willdenow in 1805 in reference to the strap-like, long, slender lateral lobes of the labellum, from the Greek habena = strap, reins.
Type species: (Orchis habenaria L.) Habenaria macroceratitis Willd.
Characteristics of the genus: Deciduous terrestrial herbs arising from tubers occurring in the forest undergrowth, in damp to slightly boggy open places. The terminal inflorescence carries generally small and dull coloured flowers spirally arranged. Most prominent in all species is the often curved basal spur on the labellum which is as long or longer than the ovary.
Number of species in New Guinea: at least thirteen species are recognized for New Guinea
Species line drawings:
Habenaria chloroleuca Schlechter
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft
Key to Illustration:
A: plant habit with portion of inflorescence; B: inflorescence; C: flower, lateral view; D: flower, front view; E: flower greatly enlarged; F: dorsal sepal (back) G: lateral sepal (back); H: petal; I: cross section of ovary
Habenaria cruciata J.J. Smith
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft
Key to Illustration: A: top half of plant with inflorescence (40 mm scale); B: flower enlarged (10 mm scale)
Habenaria dryadum Schlechter
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live specimen ex Gumi range, Watut area, Morobe Province
Habenaria viridi-alba Peter F. Hunt
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live material ex Garaina, Morobe Province
Habitat: Particularly found in old, overgrown garden sites and edges of road ditches, road cuttings and open areas caused by natural disturbance.
Conservation status: not known
Habenaria Willd.