Poaephyllum Ridley
in Materials for a Flora of the Malayan Peninsula, Vol. 1 (1908), p. 108.

INTRODUCTION: A genus of only three species, separating them from Agrostophyllum. One from Malaya and Java and two from New Guinea. Ridley described the type species as Eria minutiflora. J.D. Hooker had described the same species as Agrostophyllum pauciflorum in 1892. J.J. Smith found the same plant in Java and described it as Lectandra parviflora overlooking its identity with Agrostophyllum pauciflorum.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: Greek poa (grass), phyllon (leaf). Descriptive of the narrow leaves.

TYPE SPECIES: Poaephyllum pauciflora Ridley

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Rare sympodial epiphytes of the subtribe Glomerinae the plants somewhat vegetatively resemble some species of Appendicula Blume. From a short creeping rhizo-me emerge several stiff, rather large stems. The leaves are in two rows; the short inflorescence bears only a few small flowers opening in succession.

PHOTO(S): Poaephyllum tenuipes

HABITAT: Schlechter found one species in hill country between 250-600 m altitude and another in the mist-forest zone on tree trunks.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not threatened