Author and derivation of genus name: Genus established by Schlechter in 1905 from the Greek hippeus (horseman), phyllon (leaf), referring to the equitant leaves.

Type species: Hippeophyllum micranthum Schltr.

Characteristics of genus: They are very small epiphytic herbs with long, creeping and rigid rhizomes, short stems and distichous, bilaterally flattened leaves. The terminal, densely flowered inflorescence carries very small, white flowers. The genus has the equitant leaves of Oberonia but the flowers are more like those of Liparis.

View photos: Hippeophyllum species

Habitat: Found at low altitudes growing on tree trunks preferably on rough bark.

Conservation status: not threatened