Macodes (Blume) Lindl.,
Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. (1840) 496
Sympodial epiphytic or terrestrial plants. Stem elongated. Leaves few, sheathing at the base, glabrous, dorso-ventrally flattened, not articulate, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence terminal, a raceme. Flowers small, resupinate or not, brown with a white lip. Sepals free. Petals free, about as long as the dorsal sepal, usually cohering at the apices. Lip without spur, not mobile, asymmetric. Column twisted, in front with two lamellae. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present. Stigma 1.
Distribution
Malesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu; about 10 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Laguna, Quezon, Tayabas), Mindanao (Agusan); 1 species [Macodes petola (Blume) Lindl.].
Habitat
Terrestrial in lowland forest.
Notes
One of the famous 'Jewel Orchids', so called for their attractively and intricately veined foliage. Others include Anoectochilus, Goodyera, and Ludisia. Macodes is distinguished by the strongly asymmetric flowers and the pair of lamellae on the front side of the column. Fairly frequently cultivated, but often a rather ephemeral subject.