Malaxis Solander ex Sw
Prodr. 8: 119(1788).

Introduction: More than three hundred species have been recorded, most of them from South-East Asia and New Guinea. Deciduous or evergreen terrestrial herbs are wide spread from cold temperate climates to the hot lowland tropics.

Derivation of genus name: First described by Daniel Solander in 1788 from the Greek malaxis = softening in reference to the thin texture of the leaves.

Type species: Malaxis spicata Sw.

Characteristics of genus: Terrrestrial herbs

Habitat: Typically found in moist, shady habitats, the majority of the species grow in rain forests. The flowers are small and dull coloured, upside down (non-resupinate) and have broader sepals than petals. Most species can be identified even when not in flower although some do resemble species in the genus Liparis.

Conservation status: not known