PAPUA NEW GUINEA ORCHID NEWS

ORCHID GENUS DESCRIPTION

NSH_F69_Nervillia_aragoana_Gaud_thb.jpg - 3801 Bytes Nervilia Commers ex Gaudichaud
in Freycinet, Voy. Uranie 421, t. 35 (1829) (nom. cons.)

Introduction: The approximately eighty species in the genus are distributed from Africa, through Asia, Indonesia to New Guinea, some Pacific Islands and Australia. Pogonia is treated as a synonym of Nervilia.

Author and derivation of genus name: Described in 1829 the genus name was taken from the Latin nervus = vein, referring to the distinctly fine veins in the leaves.

Characteristics of genus: Small, deciduous, terrestrial herbs often grow in colonies, each plant producing a single heart-shaped leaf after flowering. The erect stems arise from tubers, the inflorescence bears one to seven dull coloured and short-lived flowers. The flower stem elongates considerably prior to seed shedding. Some species are saprophytes.

Habitat: In New Guinea the ten described species occur from near sea level to around 1500 m above sea level. Their habitats range from open tall grasslands, secondary regrowth to tall rain forests. Plants grow in sandy loams or humus, often subject to seasonal desiccation.

Species line drawing: Nervilia aragoana Gaudichaud
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live specimen ex Finschhafen, Morobe Province
Key to Illustration: A: plant with inflorescence only; B: habit before flowering; C: dorsal sepal; D: petal; E: lateral sepal; F: column and labellum with petals and sepals removed; G: labellum, side view; H: anther, column and ovary, side view; I: column, stigma and anther, from below