INTRODUCTION: A genus with around four species and represented by a single New Guinea species, P. papuana. The genus stands midway between Renanthera Lour. and Robiquetia Gaud. however, Schlechter felt that a new genus had to be created for the species owing to the extremely small flowers.
DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: Greek porphyra (purple), desme (bundle). Referring to the branched reddish inflorescence with its scarlet flowers.
TYPE SPECIES: Saccolabium porphyrodesme Schlechter.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: An epiphytic herb, vegetatively resembling a Renanthera with very narrow, almost pointed leaves; with very much shortened red inflorescences of tiny, scarlet-red flowers.
SPECIES SHOWN HERE: Porphyrodesme papuana drawing by Neville H.S. Howcroft
CONSERVATION STATUS: not known
Porphyrodesme Schlechter