GENERIC REDEFINITION IN SUBTRIBE SPIRANTHINAE (ORCHIDACEAE)

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Abstract
The orchid family is divided into five subfamilies and further divided into 21 tribes and 63 subtribes (Dressler, 1981). Subtribe Spiranthinae (tribe Cranchideae, subfamily Spiranthoideae) is treated here as consisting of approximately 250‐300 species in 16 genera. These genera are Brachystele, Buchtienia, Cutsis, Cyclopogon, Deiregyne, Discyphus, Eurystyles, Hapalorchis, Odontorrhynchos, Pelexia, Pseudogoodyera, Sarcoglottis, Sauroglossum, Schiedeella, Spiranthes, and Stenorrhynchos. Eleven of these genera may be grouped into four generic alliances using the rostellum/viscidium attachment as the basis for these alliances. The Brachystele alliance includes Brachystele, Sauroglossum, and Odontorrhynchos and has a very reduced rostellum which is usually inseparable from the viscidium. The Pelexia alliance includes Cyclopogon, Pelexia, and Sarcoglottis and has an elongate, broad, laminar rostellum which is partially adherent to the viscidium. The Spiranthes alliance includes Discyphus, Hapalorchis, and Spiranthes and has a broad, laminar rostellum which is centrally adherent to the viscidium. The Stenorrhynchos alliance includes Schiedeella and Stenorrhynchos and has a subulate rostellum which is ensheathed by the viscidium. Previous studies (Schlechter, 1920) of this subtribe were based on characteristics of the rostellum and perianth. Pollinarium morphology is reported for the first time.
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