Tuberolabium Yamamoto
in Botanical Magazine Tokyo 38:209; 1924

INTRODUCTION: There is some discussion as to whether the species in this genus should be reassigned to the genus Trachoma Garay (Greek trachus = rough). The principle difference being the absence of a column foot. The species in this genus are distributed from S.E. Asia, the Philippines to New Guinea and some Pacific Islands.

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: This little known genus of four to eleven species was described by Yamamoto in 1924 for an orchid from Taiwan, T. kotoense. The generic name was taken from the Greek words tubus = tuber and labium = lip.

TYPE SPECIES: Tuberolabium kotoense Yamamoto

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Small to medium-sized monopodial epiphytic herbs with short, leafy stems. the leaves are crowded, thick, sheathing at the base. The lateral inflorescence bears a succession of small flowers.

SPECIES LINE DRAWING: Tuberolabium papuanum syn. Trachoma papuanum
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft
KEY TO ILLUSTRATION: A: plant habit; B: flower; C: anther; D: labellum and column, side view; E: dorsal sepal; F: petal; G: lateral sepal; H: labellum, from above

View photos: Tuberolabium & Trachoma species

HABITAT: the species in this genus are inhabitants of the trocipal lowland rainforest

CONSERVATION STATUS: not threatened