Pomatocalpa Breda
in Kuhl & Hasselt, Orch. (1827), t.15

INTRODUCTION: About sixty species are distributed in this genus from India through S.E. Asia, New Guinea, Australia and some Pacific Islands.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: This genus was established in 1829 by three authors, Jacob van Breda, Heinrich Kuhl and Johan van Hasselt, from the Greek pomatos (flask, cup) and calpe (pitcher), in reference to the flask-shaped labellum.

TYPE SPECIES: Pomatocalpa spicatum Breda.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Mostly small to medium sized monopodial epiphytic or rarely terrestrial herbs they are inhabitants of the lowland rain forests. The lateral, sometimes branching inflorescence carries small, dull brown to yellowish flowers. They are easily identified when in flower by their flask-shaped labellum.

NUMBER OF SECTIONS AND/OR SUBSECTIONS IN GENUS:

NUMBER OF SPECIES IN NEW GUINEA: Seven species presently recognized. This number may be reduced when researched further:
P. firmulum (Rchb.f.) J.J.Sm.
P. incurvum J.J.Sm.
P. macphersonii (F. Muell.)
P. lasioglossum Schltr.
P. leucanthum (Schltr.) Schltr.
P. marsupiale (Krzl.) J.J.Sm..
P. potamophilum Schltr. is treated here as a synonym of P. macphersonii as they are identical in all characteristics.

SPECIES SHOWN HERE: P. leucanthum (Schltr.) Schltr. and P. marsupiale (Krzl.) J.J.Sm.
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft

PHOTO(S):

A HREF="http://gallery.orchidspng.com/" target="_new">Pomatocalpa species
P. leucanthum	P. macphersonii	P. marsupiale

HABITAT: When not in flower plants of the common Papua New Guinea species Pomatocalpa marsupiale may be mistaken for Vanda hindsii as it mostly grows high up on trees in full sun. Another Papua New Guinea species Pomatocalpa macphersonii inhabits the lowland rain forests in shady situations and is a significantly smaller plant with quite attractive flowers.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not threatened