Lepidogyne Blume,
Coll. Orchid. (1858) 93, t. 25
Sympodial terrestrial plants. Stem relatively short. Leaves many, sheathing at the base, glabrous, dorso-ventrally flattened, not articulate, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence terminal, a raceme. Flowers small, resupinate, (orange-)red or brownish. Sepals free. Petals free, about as long as the dorsal sepal, usually cohering at the apices. Lip without spur, not mobile, inside with a transverse row of papillae. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present. Stigma 1.
Distribution
Malesia; probably only 1 species [Lepidogyne longifolia (Blume) Blume].
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Quezon), Biliran, Palawan, Negros, Leyte.
Habitat
Terrestrial in hill forest.
Notes
In an alliance consisting mainly of small, delicate, even fragile plants, the Goodyerinae, Lepidogyne is a giant among dwarfs. The tall torch-like inflorescences with numerous, closely packed, orange to light brown flowers may reach two meter in height, although they are usually about half this size. The long, relatively narrow leaves are also unusual in this alliance. The more brightly coloured forms, so far only known from New Guinea, would be well worth cultivating, but they do not appear to be easy subjects to grow. Lepidogyne seems to be most nearly related to Goodyera.