Habenaria Willd.,
Sp. Pl. ed. 4 (1805) 44
Sympodial terrestrial plants, often with a subterranean tuber. Stem very short to elongated, one- to several-leaved. Leaves sheathing at the base, often spirally arranged, glabrous, persistent, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence a terminal, few- to many-flowered raceme. Flowers small to medium-sized, resupinate, usually green or white, sometimes with orange or pink lip. Sepals free. Petals free, often with two or more narrow lobes. Lip spurred, not mobile. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present. Stigma with two widely separated lobes, one on top of a distinct stalk which is free from the lip.
Distribution
Tropics and subtropics, world wide; about 600 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Ilocos Norte, Mt. Province, Benguet, Cagayan, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Tayabas, Albay, Camarines, Sorsogon), Alabat, Catanduanes, Mindoro, Busuanga, Culion, Coron, Palawan, Panay, Guimaras, Siquijor, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Camiguin, Damaran, Samar, Mindanao (Zamboanga, Lanao, Bukidnon, Davao, Cotabato), Sulu; about 23 species.
Habitat
Terrestrial in lowland and montane forest and in open places along streams, on hillsides, in seasonally dry grassland, etc.
Notes
The largest genus of terrestrial orchids, often with intricately lobed and fringed flowers, mostly green or white. Peristylus is closely related.