Saccolabium Blume
in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie (1825), p. 292
DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: Created by Carl Blume in 1825 this genus only consists of a three or four species from Malaysia, Java and New Guinea. Originally many species were assigned to this genus however, most of these have been moved to other genera. The generic name was taken from the Greek sakkos = bag, sac and labium = lip in reference to the bag-like shape of the lip.
Schlechter and J.J. Smith repeatedly pointed out that only a few species, based on the completely footless column of the flowers, belong to this genus.
TYPE SPECIES:Saccolabium pussilum Blume
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GENUS: Very small monopodial epiphytes with semi-pendulous stems, flat, fleshy leaves, placed in two rows. The single flower per inflorescence does not open widely but is easily recognized by its relatively large spur.
