''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are

epiphyte An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

s, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in which case there are usually one or two leaves. Others lack pseudobulbs but have up to twelve leaves. A large number of small white or greenish flowers are borne on a flowering stem emerging from a leaf

axil A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...

or from the base of the pseudobulb when present but the flowers do not open widely. There are about 220 species, distributed from tropical and

subtropical The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical zone, geographical and Köppen climate classification, climate zones to the Northern Hemisphere, north and Southern Hemisphere, south of the tropics. Geographically part of the Geographical z ...

Asia to the Pacific.

Description

Orchids in the genus ''Phratia'' are epiphytic

herbs In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...

similar to those in the genus ''

Thelasis ''Thelasis'', commonly known as fly orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Plants in this genus are usually epiphytes, sometimes lithophytes or rarely Terrestrial plant, terrestrials. Some species have pseudo ...

'' and sometimes have pseudobulbs with one or two leaves or otherwise lack pseudobulbs and have up to twelve leaves. A large number of small flowers are arranged on a flowering stem that emerges from the top of the pseudobulb when present or from a leaf axil. The flowers are

resupinate Resupination is derived from the Latin word ''resupinus'', meaning "bent back with the face upward" or "on the back". "Resupination" is the noun form of the adjective "resupine" which means "being upside-down, supine or facing upward". The word " ...

, usually white or greenish and do not open widely. The sepals and

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s are free from and similar to each other, but the petals are slightly smaller. The lateral sepals form a small ledge or "mentum" with the base of the

column A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member. ...

. There is sometimes a sac-like structure at the base of the labellum.

Taxonomy and naming

The genus ''Phreatia'' was first formally described in 1830 by

John Lindley John Lindley FRS (5 February 1799 – 1 November 1865) was an English botanist, gardener and orchidologist. Early years Born in Catton, near Norwich, England, John Lindley was one of four children of George and Mary Lindley. George Lindley w ...

and the description was published in his book ''The Genera and Species of Orchidaceous Plants''. The name ''Phreatia'' is derived from the Ancient Greek word ''phreatos'' meaning "a well" or "reservoir".

Species list

The following is a list of ''Phreatia'' species accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families as at January 2019: * ''

Phreatia acuminata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' J.J.Sm. * ''

Phreatia albiflora ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Ridl. * ''

Phreatia albofarinosa ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Ormerod * ''

Phreatia alpina ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' J.J.Sm. * ''

Phreatia altigena ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * ''

Phreatia amabilis ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' P.Royen * ''

Phreatia amesii ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Kraenzl. * ''

Phreatia angustifolia ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr., * ''

Phreatia aristulifera ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in ...

'' Ames * ''

Phreatia asciiformis ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia beiningiana'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia bicallosa'' Ridl. * ''

Phreatia bicostata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia biechinata'' Ormerod * '' Phreatia bigibbosa'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia bigibbula'' Kores * '' Phreatia bismarckiensis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia brachyphylla'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia brachyphyton'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia brachystachys'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * ''

Phreatia bracteata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia brevicaulis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia brevis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia breviscapa'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia bulbophylloides'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia caespitosa'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia calcarata'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia canaliculata'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia carolinensis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia caudata'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia caudata'' var. ''caudata'' ** ''Phreatia caudata'' var. ''tenuissima'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia caudiflora'' Gilli * '' Phreatia caulescens'' Ames * '' Phreatia chionantha'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia coelonychia'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia collina'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia concinna'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia constricta'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia crassifolia'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia crassiuscula'' Nicholls – green caterpillar orchid * '' Phreatia crinonioides'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia cryptostigma'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia cucullata'' J.J.Sm. * ''

Phreatia curvata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' (Gilli) Ormerod * '' Phreatia cylindrostachya'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia cylindrostachya'' var. ''cylindrostachya'' ** ''Phreatia cylindrostachya'' var. ''grandifolia'' Schltr. * ''

Phreatia deltoides ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia dendrochiloides'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia dendrophylax'' (Rchb.f.) Kraenzl. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.) * '' Phreatia densiflora'' (Blume) Lindl. ** ''Phreatia densiflora'' var. ''densiflora'' ** ''Phreatia densiflora'' var. ''vietnamensis'' Aver. * '' Phreatia densispica'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia densissima'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia dischorensis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia djamuensis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia dulcis'' J.J.Sm. * ''

Phreatia elata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia elegans'' Lindl. * ''

Phreatia elongata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia epimonticola'' J.M.H.Shaw * '' Phreatia falcata'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia finisterrae'' Schltr. * ''

Phreatia flaccida ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia flavovirens'' Kores * '' Phreatia formosana'' Rolfe ex Hemsl. ** ''Phreatia formosana'' var. ''continentalis'' Aver. ** ''Phreatia formosana'' var. ''formosana'' * '' Phreatia foveata'' Carr * ''

Phreatia ganggapensis ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

Phreatia koordersii ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Rolfe * '' Phreatia kusaiensis'' Tuyama * '' Phreatia ladronica'' Tuyama * '' Phreatia lalana'' Ormerod * '' Phreatia lasioglossa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia latipetala'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia laxa'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach ** ''Phreatia laxa'' var. ''laxa'' ** ''Phreatia laxa'' var. ''perlaxa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia laxiflora'' (Blume) Lindl. * '' Phreatia leioglossa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia leptophylla'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia leucostachya'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia limenophylax'' (Endl.) Rchb.f. – Norfolk Island caterpillar orchid * '' Phreatia linearifolia'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia linearis'' Ridl. * ''

Phreatia listeri ''Phreatia listeri'', commonly known as the Christmas Island caterpillar orchid, is a plant in the orchid family and is an epiphyte with four to six flat, blunt leaves in a fan-like arrangement. A large number of tiny, greenish white flowers are ...

'' Rolfe – Christmas Island caterpillar orchid * '' Phreatia listrophora'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia longibractea'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia longibracteata'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia longicaulis'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia longimentum'' Gilli * '' Phreatia loriae'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia louisiadum'' Kraenzl. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.) * '' Phreatia luzoniensis'' Rolfe ex Ames * '' Phreatia macra'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia masarangica'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia matthewsii'' Rchb.f. * '' Phreatia maxima'' Kraenzl. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.) * '' Phreatia mearnsii'' Ames * '' Phreatia mentosa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia micholitzii'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia micrantha'' (A.Rich.) Lindl. – native fan orchid * '' Phreatia microphyton'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia microtatantha'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia millikenii'' Ormerod * '' Phreatia minahassae'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia minima'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia minutiflora'' Lindl. * '' Phreatia modesta'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia moluccana'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia montana'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia monticola'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia monticola'' var. ''minor'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia monticola'' var. ''monticola'' * '' Phreatia morii'' Hayata * '' Phreatia muscicola'' P.Royen * '' Phreatia myriantha'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia navicularis'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia nebularum'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia negrosiana'' Ames * ''

Phreatia nutans ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in ...

'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia oreogena'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia oreophylax'' Rchb.f. * '' Phreatia oxyantheroides'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia pacifica'' Fukuy. * '' Phreatia padangensis'' Schltr. * ''

Phreatia palawensis ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' (Schltr.) Tuyama * '' Phreatia paleata'' (Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. – white lace orchid * '' Phreatia palmifrons'' Ormerod * '' Phreatia papuana'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia pentagona'' Kores * '' Phreatia petiolata'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach ** ''Phreatia petiolata'' var. ''eitapensis'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia petiolata'' var. ''petiolata'' * '' Phreatia pholidotoides'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia phreatioides'' (J.J.Sm.) L.O.Williams * '' Phreatia pisifera'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia plagiopetala'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia plantaginifolia'' (J.Koenig) Ormerod * '' Phreatia platychila'' (Kraenzl.) Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia platyclinoides'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia pleistantha'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia plexauroides'' Rchb.f. * '' Phreatia polyantha'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia potamophila'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia procera'' Ridl. * '' Phreatia protensa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia pseudothompsonii'' Tuyama * '' Phreatia pulchella'' Ridl. * ''

Phreatia pumilio ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia pusilla'' (F.M.Bailey) Rolfe

nom. illeg. ''Nomen illegitimum'' (Latin for illegitimate name) is a technical term, used mainly in botany. It is usually abbreviated as ''nom. illeg.'' Although the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants uses Latin terms for other k ...

* '' Phreatia pusilla'' (Blume) Lindl. * '' Phreatia quadrata'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia quinquelobulata'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia ramosii'' Ames * '' Phreatia renilabris'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia repens'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia resiana'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia rhomboglossa'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia rotundata'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia rupestris'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia ryozoana'' Tuyama * ''

Phreatia saccifera ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia sarasinorum'' Kraenzl. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.) * '' Phreatia sarawaketensis'' Ormerod * '' Phreatia scandens'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia scaphioglossa'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia schoenorchis'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia seleniglossa'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia semiorbicularis'' J.J.Sm. ** ''Phreatia semiorbicularis'' var. ''angiensis'' J.J.Sm. ** ''Phreatia semiorbicularis'' var. ''semiorbicularis'' ** ''Phreatia semiorbicularis'' var. ''seramica'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia seranica'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia similis'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia simplex'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia sinadjiensis'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia sororia'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia sororia'' var. ''kenejiana'' Schltr. ** ''Phreatia sororia'' var. ''litoralis''] Schltr. ** ''Phreatia sororia'' var. ''sororia'' * '' Phreatia spathilabia'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia spathulata'' J.J.Sm. in L.S.Gibbs * '' Phreatia sphaerocarpa'' Schltr. in K.M.Schumann & C.A.G.Lauterbach * '' Phreatia stenophylla'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia stenostachya'' (Rchb.f.) Kraenzl. in H.G.A.Engler (ed.) * '' Phreatia stipulata'' Schltr. * '' Phreatia stresemannii'' J.J.Sm. * '' Phreatia subalpina'' P.Royen * ''

Phreatia subcrenulata ''Phreatia'', commonly known as lace orchids, is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae, native to regions bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Plants in this genus are epiphytes, sometimes with pseudobulbs, in whic ...

Distribution

Orchids in the genus ''Phreatia'' are found in

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

, Taiwan, the Indian Subcontinent, the

Andaman Islands The Andaman Islands () are an archipelago in the northeastern Indian Ocean about southwest off the coasts of Myanmar's Ayeyarwady Region. Together with the Nicobar Islands to their south, the Andamans serve as a maritime boundary between th ...

, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, the

Lesser Sunda Islands The Lesser Sunda Islands or nowadays known as Nusa Tenggara Islands ( id, Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara, formerly ) are an archipelago in Maritime Southeast Asia, north of Australia. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west they make up t ...

, Peninsular Malaysia, the Maluku Islands, the Philippines,

Sulawesi Sulawesi (), also known as Celebes (), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the world's eleventh-largest island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Ar ...

Sumatra Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 (182,812 mi.2), not including adjacent i ...

, Christmas Island, the

Bismarck Archipelago The Bismarck Archipelago (, ) is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea. Its area is about 50,000 square km. History The first inhabitants o ...

, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands,

Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, directly east of Australia's Evans Head and about from Lord Howe Island. Together with ...

Queensland (Australia) ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

, Niue,

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

, Samoa, the Santa Cruz Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu,

Wallis and Futuna Islands Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (; french: Wallis-et-Futuna or ', Fakauvea and Fakafutuna: '), is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fij ...

, the Society Islands, the Caroline Islands and the

Mariana Islands The Mariana Islands (; also the Marianas; in Chamorro: ''Manislan Mariånas'') are a crescent-shaped archipelago comprising the summits of fifteen longitudinally oriented, mostly dormant volcanic mountains in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, betw ...

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q1249117 Podochileae genera