Zeuxine Lindley
in J. Lindley, Collectanea Botanica, 1825, Appendix and in J. Lindley, Orchidearum Sceletos, 1826; p. 9

INTRODUCTION: A genus of perhaps seventy six species, extending from Africa through India, S.E. Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, some of the Western Pacific Islands and Australia. The genus is regarded as being taxonomically very complicated, and the exact limitations of the species are uncertain (Seidenfaden, 1978).

DERIVATION OF GENUS NAME: The genus name was coined by John Lindley in 1825 from the Greek zeuxis = union in apparent reference to the loose hood formed by the dorsal sepal overlapping the petals.

TYPE SPECIES: non designated, when first described only the genus was defined

CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUS: Terrestrial herbs with erect inflorescence, few to many small flowers. The leaves form a rosette around the base of the stem. The genus belongs to the Anoectochilus Alliance however, few of the species have attractive foliage.

NUMBER OF SPECIES IN NEW GUINEA: At least twelve species are found in New Guinea.

HABITAT: These plants can be found on the floor of the rain forest in relatively deep shade growing in deep leaf litter or sometimes on bare soil at altitudes from 100 to 1000 m.

SPECIES SHOWN HERE: Zeuxine amboinensis var. argentea J.J. Smith
drawn by N.H.S. Howcroft from live material ex Gurakor area, Lae, Morobe Province.

KEY TO ILLUSTRATION: A: habit; B: flower, front view; C: flower, side view; D: median longitudinal section of dorsal sepal, column, labellum and dorsal sepal; E: dorsal sepal; F: petal; G: lateral sepal; H: labellum; I: column, from below; J: anther; K: pollinia

SPECIES SHOWN HERE: Zeuxine dipera
re-drawn by Emmanuel Saya.