Plocoglottis Blume
in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie (1825), p. 380

INTRODUCTION: About thirty species are recorded in this genus distributed from South-East Asia to New Guinea. The genus belongs to the subtribe Phaiinae.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: Greek ploke (binding together, fastening braid), glotta (tongue). Alluding to the lip which is short connate with the base of the column, to which is joined on each side by a membraneous fold.

TYPE SPECIES: Plocoglottis javanica Blume

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Terrestrial herbs vaguely allied to Spathoglottis Blume, they are rather attractive, small-flowered orchids bearing mostly cylindrical, clean pseudobulbs topped by one (rarely two) folded, stalked leaves. The flowers are borne on elongated inflorescences originating from the base of the pseudobulb, opening in succession over a long period of time. Flowers are mostly yellow to orange coloured with sometimes red spots or flushing. All species are characterised by the hinged lip which is sprung like a mousetrap, trapping an unsuspecting visiting insect and thus aid pollination.

PHOTO: Plocoglottis sp.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not known