Epigeneium Gagnep.,
Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, Ser. 2, 4 (1932) 593
Sympodial epiphytes with long rhizomes. Pseudobulbs consisting of one internode, one- to three-leaved at the apex. Leaves not sheathing at the base, glabrous, deciduous, duplicate. Inflorescence terminal, a few- to several-flowered raceme or carrying a single flower. Floral bracts short, persistent. Flowers rather small to large, resupinate. Sepals free. Petals free, similar to the dorsal sepal. Lip without spur, not mobile. Column-foot present. Pollinia 4, solid, caudicles absent, stipe absent, viscidium absent.
Distribution
Northern India, Nepal, continental Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Philippines; about 30 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Abra, Bontoc, Kalinga-Apayao, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Aurora, Camarines Norte), Mindoro, Samar, Mindanao (Surigao); 3 species.
Habitat
Epiphytes in montane forest.
Notes
Closely related to Dendrobium and Flickingeria, characterised by terminal inflorescences, creeping rhizomes and pseudobulbs with only one internode. The flowers are not ephemeral as in Flickingeria. Some species of Epigeneium are very similar to species of Coelogyne, but they differ from Coelogyne by the small persistent floral bracts, the not flattened column and by having pollinia without caudicles. The flowers are usually not brightly coloured, but nevertheless attractive, and some species are fairly frequently cultivated.