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     IDENTIFYING THE ORCHIDS

One thing it to find and photo orchids, a completely other task is the identification of the single species. Despite I'm just a gardener, I will try to set a name to each species I encounter. To do this, I have found this key. First, I have to get the terms explained. Then I can use this key.

ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY OF THE ORCHID IDENTIFICATION TERMINOLOGY
The illustrations can be found in the button of this page. Additional explanations of terms are available on cited figures (Fig. 1-12).

Abaxial - the side away from the axis, normally the lower surface.
Acaulescent - becoming stemless.
Acaulous - stemless or nearly so.
Achlorophyllous - without chlorophyll, as in plants or plant structures lacking green color.
Actinomorphic - radially symmetrical.
Aculeate - prickly; covered with prickles.
Acuminate - having a gradually tapering point. Fig. 12.
Acute - distinctly and sharply pointed, but not drawn out. Fig. 12.
Adaxial - the side toward the axis, normally the upper surface.
Adnate - united or joined together.
Adpressed (appressed) - lying flat for the whole length of the organ.
Amplexicaul - clasping the stem.
Androclinium - see clinandrium.
Androecium - all of the stamens in a flower.
Anther - the expanded, apical, pollen bearing portion of the stamen. Fig. 4-7, 10.
Anther cup (operculum) - highly modified, easily removable lid-like anther wall, which covers pollinia placed on the top of column in many representatives of Dendrobioideae and Vandoideae subfamilies. Fig. 8-10.
Antrorse - directed forward or upward.
Aphyllous - without leaves.
Apiculate - with a short, sharp, but not stiff, point. Fig. 12.
Appressed - see adpressed.
Approximate - drawn close together, but not united.
Aristate - awned, sharply terminated by a hard, straight point. Fig. 12.
Articulate - jointed. Fig. 3.
Articulation - point of attachment. Fig. 3.
Attenuate - tapering gradually to a narrow base. Fig. 12.
Auricle 1 - a small lateral outgrowth on the top of column in representatives of subfamily Orchidoideae. Fig. 7.
Auricle 2 - a small, ear-shaped appendage, commonly at the base of lip or leaf. Fig. 12.
Auriculate - with a small ear-like lobe. Fig. 12.
Axial placentation - placentation when ovules are attached to the central axis of an ovary with two or more locules. Fig. 2, a.
Axil - the point at the angle between a leaf and a stem.
Axillary - borne in the axil.
Bark epiphytes (trunk epiphytes) - epiphytes growing on branches of middle size in medium zone of tree canopies. Fig. 1, f.
Berry - a fleshy, many-seeded fruit composed of more than one carpel.
Bicuspidate - having 2 sharp points.
Bidentate - with two teeth. Fig. 12.
Bifid - divided into 2 shallow segments, usually at the apex. Fig. 12.
Bifurcate - forked.
Bipartite - divided nearly to the base into two portions.
Bract - more or less reduced leaf-like organ bearing a flower, inflorescence or partial inflorescence in its axil. Fig. 3.
Branchepiphytes (canopy epiphytes) - epiphytes growing on small branchlets and perennial leaves in peripheral zone of tree canopies. Fig. 1, g.
Canopy epiphytes - branch epiphytes.
Broadly elliptic - spindle-shaped, two-dimensional; with an index from 1 to about 1.4. Fig. 11.
Broadly lanceolate - lance-shaped, narrow, tapering toward the apex more than toward the base; with an index from 3 to around 4. Fig. 11.
Broadly oblanceolate - inversely broadly lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Broadly obovate - inversely broadly ovate. Fig. 11.
Broadly ovate - egg-shaped in outline, broader at the base, two-dimensional; with an index less than 1.4. Fig. 11.
Broadly triangular - three-angled, with an index less than 0.85. Fig. 11.
Bursicle - a cup-like covering over the viscidium in some representatives of subtribe Orchidinae. Fig. 10.
Caducous - falling off early, like floral bracts in some species of Calanthe or Coelogyne.
Caespitose - tufted.
Callus (pl. calli) - a thickening or protuberance, commonly on the lip. Fig. 6.
Calyculus - a small cup or circle of bract-like structures outside of the sepals in species of Lecanorchis. Fig. 8.
Campanulate - bell-shaped.
Canaliculate - channeled, with a longitudinal groove.
Canopy epiphytes - see branch epiphytes. Fig. 1, g.
Capilletium - the sterile kapok-like hairs within the fruit mellowing seed masses, particularly in epiphytes. Fig. 9.
Capitate - head-like.
Capsule - a dry, many-seeded, dehiscent fruit composed of more than one carpel. Fig. 9.
Carinate - keeled.
Carpel - highly modified megasporophyll, formed from one modified leaf bearing ovules (megasporangia) and seeds; in the orchids, the three carpels are so united and modified as to be nearly unrecognizable. Fig. 2, a, b.
Caudate - tailed; with a tail-like appendage. Fig. 12.
Caudicle - a slender elastic extension of the pollinium, or a mealy portion at one end of the pollinium; the structure is a part of the pollen, which is formed within the anther. Fig. 6, 7, 10.
Central - relating to the central part of a body.
Ciliate - having fine hairs at the margin, refers usually to the margin of leaf or tepal. Fig. 12.
Clavate - club-shaped, pointed at one end and rounded at the other.
Claw - the conspicuously narrowed and attenuate base of an organ.
Cleistogamous - refers to flowers which regularly self-pollinate without opening.
Clinandrium (androclinium) - the anther bed, that part of the column under, or surrounding, the anther. Fig. 9.
Column - more or less modified structure formed by union of filaments and style. Fig. 4-6, 8-10.
Column wing - a wing-or arm-like appendage of the column, usually lateral.
Columnfoot - a ventral extension of the base of the column which has the lip attached at its tip. Fig. 8.
Complanate - flattened or compressed.
Conduplicate - leaf or leaf-like organs, with a single median fold, with each half being flat. Fig. 2, m.
Congeneric - belong to the same genus.
Connate - united.
Connective - the sterile portion of the filament connecting the two pollen sacs of an anther. Fig. 7, 10.
Connivent - coming into close contact or converging, but not united.
Conspecific - belonging to the same species.
Convolute - rolled up longitudinally with parts in an overlapping arrangement. Fig. 2, j.
Cordate - heart-shaped with the base at the broad, notched end. Fig. 11, 12.
Coriaceous - leathery.
Corolla - the inner whorl of the perianth, petals.
Corymb - flat-topped inflorescence.
Crenate - scalloped, toothed with crenations. Fig. 11.
Crenulate - crenate, but the teeth small. Fig. 11.
Cristate - crested.
Cucullate - hooded, hood-shaped.
Cuneate - wedge-shaped. Fig. 12.
Cuspidate - tipped with a sharp, rigid point. Fig. 12.
Decurved - curved or bent down.
Deflexed - bent outwards.
Dentate - toothed. Fig. 11.
Denticulate - minutely toothed. Fig. 11.
Determinate - a habit of growth in which each unit has a limited growth, usually in sympodial shoot.
Disc - the face of any flat organ with special reference to the lip.
Distal - away from the base, toward the apex.
Distichous - having leaves or other organs in two opposite rows.
Dorsal - refers to the back or outward surface of an organ in relation to the axis; in orchids refers to the upper side of the flower; see abaxial.
Dorsal sepal - see median sepal.
Dorsiventral - an organ which has more or less distinct dorsal and ventral surfaces, as a non-terete leaf.
Duplicate - refers to the folding of leaves during development, folded once with each half flat. Fig. 2, k.
Echinate - with numerous stiff hairs or spines.
Elastoviscin - a very elastic substance found in pollinia and especially in caudicles.
Ellipsoid - spindle-shaped; narrow and tapering at the ends, three-dimensional.
Elliptic - spindle-shaped, two-dimensional; with an index around 1.4-3. Fig. 11.
Emarginate - notched, usually at the apex. Fig. 12.
Endemic - confined to a given region.
Ensiform - sword-shaped. Fig. 11.
Entire - simple and with a smooth edge, as contrasted to toothed or lobed. Fig. 11.
Ephemer - living a very short time (usually annual plants of arid areas).
Ephemeral - of flowers, referring to those which last only a few hours.
Ephemeroid - perennial plants of arid areas with very short vegetative and reproductive periods.
Epichile - the terminal part of a complex lip when it is distant from the basal portion. Fig. 6.
Epigeous - growing upon the ground.
Epiphyte - a plant growing on another plant but not parasitic. Fig. 1, e-g.
Equitant - said of conduplicate or laterally flattened leaves or bracts which overlap each other in two ranks.
Erose - bitten or gnawed. Fig. 11.
Extrafloral - occurring outside of a flower; refers usually to glands that are found outside of flower buds.
Falcate - sickle-shaped. Fig. 11.
Farinose - mealy.
Fasciculate - clustered or bundled.
Filament - the stalk of the stamen which bears the anther. Fig. 4, 5.
Filiform - thread-like.
Fimbriate - fringed, refers usually to the margin of leaf or tepal. Fig. 11.
Flabellate - fan-shaped. Fig. 11.
Flexuose - bent alternately in opposite directions.
Flora - the array of all plant species occurring in a region.
Floral bract - more or less reduced leaf-like organ bearing a flower (or reduced floral bud) in its axil. Fig. 3, 5, 6, 8.
Fovea - a small depression or pit, like in lip of Malaxis species.
Fusiform - spindle-shaped.
Geniculate - abruptly bent like a knee-joint.
Geophyte - plants, in which new annual shoot develops from underground bud, usually tuberiferous or bulb ephemeroids.
Gibbous - swollen or enlarged on one side; ventricose.
Glabrous - hairless.
Gland 1 - an appendage, protuberance, or other structure which secretes nectary substances. Fig. 6.
Gland 2 - see viscidium.
Globose - spherical.
Gynostemium - see column.
Hamulus - a pollinium stalk which is formed by modified bended rostellum apex. Fig. 10.
Hastate - spear-shaped, with the basal lobes turned outwards. Fig. 11, 12.
Heteranthous - an apical inflorescence produced on a separate shoot which doesnot develop toproduceapseudobulbandleaves. Fig. 2, f.
Hirsute - hairy.
Hispid - bristly.
Humus epiphytes - epiphytes growing in forks of tree stem on thick accumulations of humus. Fig. 1, e.
Hyaline - glass-like, colorless, translucent.
Hygroscopic - capable of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere.
Hypochile - the basal portion of a complex lip. Fig. 6, 9.
Hysteranthous - an apical inflorescence produced after the pseudobulbs and leaves have developed. Fig. 2, i.
Imbricate - overlapping.
Incumbent - lying on or against.
Indehiscent - not opening at maturity along definite lines or by pores.
Index (leaf, tepal index) - the length of flat figure divided by its width.
Indumentum - any covering, commonly refers to hairiness.
Inferior - inserted below, like the ovary in the orchids.
Inflorescence - the flowering part of a plant, which includes usually floral axis, floral bracts and flowers. Fig. 3, 5-9.
Inflorescence bract - more or less reduced leaf-like organ bearing an inflorescence or partial inflorescence (or reduced inflorescence bud) in its axil. Fig. 3, 7.
Internode - the section of a stem between two nodes. Fig. 3.
Isthmus - a narrow portion of a lip or petal.
Keel - a prominent longitudinal ridge, like the keel of a boat. Fig. 6, 8, 9.
Labellum - see lip.
Lacerate - cut or cleft irregularly, refers usually to the margin of leaf or tepal. Fig. 11.
Lacinate - cut into narrow, irregular lobes or segments, refers usually to the margin of leaf or tepal. Fig. 11.
Lamella - a membrane or septum.
Lamina - a blade, the expanded flat portion of a leaf or tepal.
Lanceolate - lance-shaped, narrow, tapering toward the apex more than toward the base; with an index around 4-7. Fig. 11.
Lateral - borne on or near the side of midline of a bilaterally symmetrical organ.
Lateral sepals - adaxial segments of the outer whorl of perianth (calyx). Fig. 6-9.
Laterally flattened - compressed from lateral sides.
Lax - loose, distant.
Leaf blade - the broad part of a leaf. Fig. 3.
Leaf index - see index.
Leaf sheath - the leaf base which surrounds the stem. Fig. 3, 5, 6.
Liana - a plant with long stem not self-supporting, but climbing or trailing on any erect substratum. Fig. 1, d.
Ligulate - with a ligule; strap-or tongue-shaped.
Ligule - a strap-like body.
Linear - leaf blade at least 12 times longer than broad, with the sides parallel. Fig. 11.
Lingulate - tongue-shaped.
Lip - in orchids highly modified median (adaxial) segment of the inner whorl of perianth (corolla). Fig. 4-9.
Lithophyte - growing on stones and rocks. Fig. 1, c.
Lobule - a small lobe.
Longitudinal section (sagittal section) - section along axis of an organ.
Lunate - half-moon shaped.
Massula (pl. massulae) - a packet of pollen.
Median - situated on the midline of a bilaterally symmetrical organ.
Median sepal - abaxial segment of the outer whorl of perianth (calyx). Fig. 5-9.
Mentum - a chin-like projection formed by the lateral sepals and extended columnfoot. Fig. 8.
Mesochile - the middle portion of a complex lip. Fig. 6.
Monopodial growth - indefinite growth which continues from a terminal bud from season to season. Fig. 2, c.
Mucro - a sharp terminal point. Fig. 12.
Mucronate - tipped with a short, sharp, abrupt point (mucro). Fig. 12.
Mycorrhiza - a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the root of a plant.
Mycotrophic (saprophytic) - plants which obtain nutrients from fungi by means of mycorrhizal symbiotic or parasitic relationships. Fig. 1, b.
Myrmecophyte - any plant which is associated with ants.
Narrowly elliptic - spindle-shaped, two-dimensional; with an index around 3-8. Fig. 11.
Narrowly lanceolate - lance-shaped, narrow, tapering toward the apex more than toward the base; with an index from 7 to around 12. Fig. 11.
Narrowly oblanceolate - inversely narrowly lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Narrowly obovate - inversely narrowly ovate. Fig. 11.
Narrowly ovate - egg-shaped in outline, broader at the base, two-dimensional; with an index about 1.6-3. Fig. 11.
Nectary - a nectar-producing structure or gland.
Node - the point on a stem at which a leaf or bract is attached. Fig. 3.
Non-resupinate flower - the flower with not-resupinate ovary having the lip turned upwards.
Obcordate - inversely cordate. Fig. 11.
Oblanceolate - inversely lanceolate. Fig. 11.
Obligate - restricted to particular conditions or circumstances, like achlorophyllous mycotrophic plants. Fig. 1, b.
Oblique - with unequal sides; slanting. Fig. 12.
Oblique bifid - divided into 2 unequal shallow segments, usually at the apex. Fig. 12.
Oblong - much longer than broad, with nearly parallel sides, rounded at each end. Fig. 11.
Obovate - inversely ovate. Fig. 11.
Obsolete - wanting or rudimentary. Obtuse - blunt or rounded at the apex. Fig. 12.
Ombrophilous - adapted to shady habitats of humid rainy forest.
Operculum - see anther cup. Fig. 8.
Orbicular - of a flat body with a circular outline. Fig. 11.
Oval - oval-shaped, not much longer than broad, with nearly parallel sides, rounded at each end. Fig. 11.
Ovary - the part of the flower that contains ovules and develops into the fruit. Fig. 3-5, 8.
Ovate - egg-shaped in outline, broader at the base, two-dimensional; with an index around 1.4-1.6. Fig. 11.
Ovoid - egg-shaped, three-dimensional.
Palea - flat or terete, moveable appendages attached by a filiform base, found on tepals in some species of Bulbophyllum. Fig. 8.
Pandurate - violin-or fiddle-shaped. Fig. 11.
Panicle - a much branched inflorescence.
Paniculate - branched, branching (of an inflorescence).
Papilla (pl. papillae) - a soft, short, superficial gland or protuberance. Fig. 6.
Papillose - covered with papillae.
Parietal placentation - placentation when ovules are attached to the walls of the ovary. Fig. 2, b.
Pectinate - comb-like; with close, regularly spaced teeth or hairs, often in a single row, like the teeth of a comb.
Pedicel - the stalk of a single flower in an inflorescence. Fig. 3, 8.
Peduncle - the stalk bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower. Fig. 3, 5, 6.
Peloric - a more or less radially symmetrical mutant of a species which normally has zygomorphic flowers.
Peltate - shield-shaped. Pendent - hanging.
Pendulous - hanging.
Perianth (tepals) - a collective term for sepals and petals, together.
Petals - in orchids two lateral segments of the inner whorl of perianth (corolla). Fig. 4, 5, 7, 9.
Petiolate leaf - leaf with distinct petiole and leaf blade.
Petiole - a leaf stalk. Fig. 6.
Pilose - soft hairy.
Pistil - the female reproductive organ of a flower, typically consisting of a stigma, style and ovary.
Placenta - that portion of the ovary that bears the ovules.
Placentation - the arrangement of ovules and configuration of the placentas in ovary. Fig. 2, a, b.
Plicate - pleated or folded leaves having several to many major longitudinal veins and folded in each one. Fig. 2, l.
Pollen masses - see Pollinium.
Pollinarium (pl. pollinaria) - the complete set of pollinia with associated parts, like viscidium (viscidia) and stipe. Fig. 6-10.
Pollinium (pl. pollinia) - a more or less compact mass of pollen. Fig. 6-10.
Porate pollinium - pollinium with a pore or pores.
Porrect - directed outward and forward.
Prostrate - lying flat on the ground.
Proteranthous - an apical inflorescence produced before the pseudobulbs and leaves on the same shoot. Fig. 2, g.
Proximal - the part nearest the axis, toward the base.
Pseudobulb - a swollen aerial stem. Fig. 3, 8.
Pseudocopulation - a special type of pollination, in which flowers mimic female insects and are pollinated by the males when they attempt to copulate with the flowers.
Pseudopollen - mealy, farinose, pollen-like deposit (originated from highly modified papillae) on the lip of some species of Eria and Dendrobium.
Pubescent - softly hairy or downy.
Pulvinate - cushion-like.
Pustulate - see pustulose.
Pustulose (pustulate) - having small blisters or pustules.
Pyriform - pear-shaped. Fig. 11.
Quaquaversal - directed or bending in every direction.
Raceme - an unbranched, elongate, indeterminate inflorescence with pedicellate flowers maturing from the base upwards.
Racemose - having flowers in racemes.
Rachis - the axis of an inflorescence. Fig. 3, 8, 9.
Recurved - curved backwards or downwards.
Reflexed - abruptly bent or turned downwards or backwards.
Reniform - kidney-shaped. Fig. 11.
Resupinate flower - the flower with resupinate ovary having the lip turned down.
Reticulate - netted.
Retrorse - directed backwards or downwards.
Retuse - shallowly notched at a rounded apex. Fig. 12.
Revolute - rolled back from the margin.
Rhizome - horizontal, underground or surface-resting stem bearing scale leaves and adventitious roots; in sympodial orchids composed of the bases of successive shoots. Fig. 3, 6.
Rhombic - diamond-shaped. Fig. 11.
Rhomboidal - quadrangular, nearly rhombic, with obtuse lateral angles.
Root ridge - elongate callus on fleshy rhizome which bears tufts of root hairs in some rootless orchids like species of Cheirostylis.
Root-stem tuberoid - see tuberoid.
Rosette - a densely clustered spiral of leaves, usually borne near the ground.
Rostellum - highly modified, often beak-like sterile median portion of stigma lying between the functional part of stigma (stigmas) and stamen. Fig. 6-10.
Rostellar arms - lateral narrow wing-like rostellar extensions in some representatives of subtribe Goodyerinae. Fig. 6.
Rostrate - beaked.
Rosulate - with the leaves arranged in basal rosettes on very short stem.
Rotund - circular in outline.
Round - see rounded.
Rounded (round, rotund) - with a rounded apex or base. Fig. 12.
Rugose - wrinkled.
Rugulose - somewhat wrinkled.
Saccate - with a conspicuous swelling hollow.
Sagittal section - see longitudinal section.
Sagittate - arrowhead-shaped. Fig. 12.
Saprophyte - plants which obtain nutrients by absorption of organic substances from the soil (as a rule, indirectly, by means of mycorrhizal symbiotic or mycotrophic relationships with soil fungi). Fig. 1, b.
Saprophytic - see mycotrophic.
Scale - any thin, flat, scarious structure commonly of leaf origin. Fig. 3.
Scandent - climbing.
Scape - a leafless and flowerless lower part of an inflorescence. Fig. 3, 5-7, 9.
Scarious - thin, dry and membranous.
Scattered - arranged without apparent order.
Sectile - the conditions in which soft, granular pollinia are subdivided into small packets, which are usually connected by elastic threads.
Secund - arranged on one side of the axis only.
Semicircular - half-round. Fig. 11.
Sepals - in orchids three segments of the outer whorl of perianth (calyx). Fig. 4.
Septum - a partition, like in the spur or sac in many species of subtribe Aeridinae.
Serrate - saw-like; toothed along the margin, with the sharp, regular teeth pointing forward. Fig. 11.
Serrulate - saw-like; toothed along the margin with minute, sharp, regular forward-pointing teeth. Fig. 11.
Sessile - attached directly, without stalk or petiole.
Sessile leaf - leaf lacking the petiole.
Seta (pl. setae) - a bristle.
Setaceous - bristle-like; with bristles.
Sheath - a leaf-like structure which enfolds a stem, pseudobulb, or young inflorescence.
Sigmoid - S-shaped.
Spatulate - oblong and attenuated at the base, like a spatula. Fig. 11.
Spicate - arranged in a spike.
Spike - an unbranched inflorescence with sessile or subsessile flowers maturing from the bottom upwards.
Spur - a slender, tubular or sac-like often nectar-containing projection commonly formed by the base of the lip. Fig. 6, 7, 9.
Stamen - the male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an anther and filament. Fig. 5.
Staminode (staminodium) - a sterile stamen, often modified in shape and size. Fig. 4, 5, 7.
Staminodium - see staminode.
Stelidium (pl. stelidia) - a wing-or arm-like lateral appendage on the top of the column. Fig. 8, 9.
Stigma - the portion of the pistil which is receptive to pollen. Fig. 4-6, 8-10.
Stigma lobes - two completely separated lateral lobes of stigma. Fig. 7.
Stigmatophore - an elongated process on either side of the base of the column bearing lateral stigmatic lobe. Fig. 7.
Stipe (tegula) - a non viscid band or strap of columnar tissue which connects the pollinia to the viscidium. Fig. 9, 10.
Stipitate - raised on a stalk.
Style - the slender part of the pistil which connects the ovary with the stigma; forms a part of the column. Fig. 4, 5.
Subacute - slightly acute. Fig. 12.
Subulate - awl-shaped. Fig. 11.
Sulcate - with longitudinal grooves or furrows.
Sympodial growth - growth in which each new shoot is determinate and terminates in one season with terminal or lateral inflorescence. Fig. 2, d, e.
Synanthous - an inflorescence when pseudobulb, leaf and apical inflorescence are produced together. Fig. 2, h.
Synsepal (synsepalum) - a compound organ formed by the union of two lateral sepals, like in species of Paphiopedilum. Fig. 5.
Tegula - see stipe.
Tepal index - see index.
Tepals - see perianth.
Terete - cylindric and usually tapering. Fig. 11.
Terminal - the end or apex.
Terrestrial - ground dwelling plants, usually with creeping rhizome, ground pseudobulbs or subterranean tuber (root-stem tuberoids). Fig. 1, a.
Tessellate - chequered.
Theca (pl. thecae) - a pollen sac or cell of the anther. Fig. 7.
Tomentose - densely covered with matted woolly or short hairs.
Triangular - three-angled, with an index more than 0.85. Fig. 11.
Trichome - a hair or hair-like outgrowth of the epidermis. Fig. 9.
Tridentate - three-toothed. Fig. 12.
Truncate - ending abruptly, as though broken off. Fig. 12.
Trunk epiphytes - see bark epiphytes. Fig. 1, f.
Tuber - in orchids see tuberoid.
Tuberoid (root-stem tuberoid) - a thickened, more or less modified tuber-like root with a bud and some anatomical stem structures at the base. Fig. 7.
Umbo - a small blunt or rounded protuberance, as on the ventral surface of staminode in some species of Paphiopedilum. Fig. 5.
Umbonate - having a central, projecting point, like the boss of a shield.
Uncinnate - hook-shaped.
Undulate - waved.
Unguiculate - contracted at the base into a claw. Fig. 12.
Urceolate - pitcher-, vase-or urn-shaped.
Velamen - one or more layers of hygroscopic spongy dead cells on the outside of a root.
Ventral - refers to the front or inward surface of an organ in relation to the axis; see adaxial.
Ventricose - swollen or inflated on one side.
Verrucose - warty.
Verticillate - whorled.
Villose - with long, weak hairs.
Vine - see liana.
Viscidiophore - an elongated prolongation of the base of theca (anther canal) and rostellum side lobes bearing at the apex viscidium. Fig. 7.
Viscidium (pl. viscidia) - a viscid, usually disc-like part of the rostellum joined to the pollinium, enabling it to adhere to an insect-pollinator body. Fig. 6-10.
Whorl - a circle of three or more leaves or leaf-like organs attached at the same level on a stem.
Zygomorphic - bilaterally symmetrical.


Fig. 1
. Ecological groups of orchids and their habitats.
Orchids in the flora of Vietnam may be terrestrial plants (a, about 20%), achlorophyllous obligate mycotrophic (saprophytic) herbs (b, about 2%), lithophytes (c, about 8%), lianas or vines (d, about 2%), humus epiphytes (e, about 15%), bark epiphytes (f, about 48%) and branch epiphytes (g, about 5%).


Fig. 2
. Basic orchid morphology: a, b - transversal section of ovary with axial placentation in Apostasia odorata (a) and parietal placentation in Dendrobium cariniferum (b); c-e - main types of orchid growth system with monopodial shoot (c), sympodial shoot with apical inflorescence (d) and sympodial shoot with lateral inflorescence (e); rings designate flowers, filled rings designate fruits, lines designate bracts/leaves, arrows show direction of growth, broken line designate obsolete old part of shoot; f-i - main types of orchid inflorescences according to features of their development: heteranthous in Coelogyne cristata (f), proteranthous in C. lentiginosa (g), synanthous in Pholidota rubra (h) and hysteranthous (i) inflorescence in C. fimbriata; j, k - types of leaf development (transversal section of developing leaves) with convolute leaves in Liparis nervosa (j) and duplicate leaves in C. fimbriata (k); l-n - types of orchid leaves (transversal section of mature leaves) with plicate in Tainia viridifusca (l), conduplicate in Paphiopedilum concolor (m) and laterally flattened leaves in Oberonia ensiformis (n).


Fig. 3
. Structure of orchid shoot.


Fig. 4
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Apostasioideae).


Fig. 5
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Cypripedioideae).


Fig.6
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Spiranthoideae).


Fig. 7
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Orchidoideae).


Fig. 8
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Epidendroideae).


Fig. 9
. Orchid morphology (subfamily Vandoideae).


Fig.10
. Main types of pollinaria and pollinium stalk in orchids: a, b - sagittal section of column (a) and pollinarium (b) off lower of Tropidia curculigoides, that illustrate hamulus formation; c, d - sagittal section of column (c) and pollinarium (d) of flower of Doritis pulcherrima, that illustrate stipe (tegula) formation; e, f - sagittal section of column (e) and pollinarium (f) of flower of Dactylorhiza incarnata, that illustrate caudicle formation.


Fig. 11
. Main types of shapes and margins of orchid leaf and tepal.


Fig. 12
. Main types of apices and bases of orchid leaf and tepal.

Laboratory studies and work with manuscript and illustrations was supported by Swiss Orchid Conservation fund of Zurich Foundation for Orchid Conservation of Swiss Orchid Society. Project - "Orchids of Vietnam, work on monograph manuscript", 2005-2007.

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