Platanthera L.C. Richard
in Mem. Mus. Paris 4 (1818),48.

INTRODUCTION: Some two hundred and fifty species are known in this genus, some of which are some-times included in the genus Habenaria Willd. They are distributed primarily in the northern hemisphere with only a few species in the old and new world tropics.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: Greek platys (broad), anthera (anther). Refers to the unusual width of the anther.

TYPE SPECIES: Orchis bifolia L.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Terrestrial herbs with a root system of rounded or sometimes lobbed tubers. The scapes are usually stout and clothed with variously formed leaves, which become more numer-ous towards the base. The flowers vary considerably in size, some are markedly showy when well-flowered.

NUMBER OF SPECIES IN NEW GUINEA: Three species are found in new Guinea

CONSERVATION STATUS: not known

SPECIES SHOWN HERE: Platanthera elliptica J.J. Smith
re-drawn by Emmauel Saya from Nova Guinea Vol. XII

KEY TO ILLUSTRATION: A: habit; B: flower; C: dissected flower showing labellum, ovary and spur; D: labellum with spine; E: dorsal sepal; F: petal (bottom); G: lateral sepal; H: column