Xerorchis

Taxobox
name = "Xerorchis"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Asparagales
familia = Orchidaceae
subfamilia = Epidendroideae
tribus = Xerorchideae
genus = "Xerorchis"
genus_authority = Schltr.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =
*"Xerorchis amazonica"
*"Xerorchis trichorhiza"

Xerorchis (from Greek "xeros", dry, and "orchis", testicle-shaped) is a orchid genus in the subfamily Epidendroideae, and the sole representative of tribe Xerorchideae. This is a very primitive genus consisting of terrestrial orchids. "Xerorchis" thrives in South America.

Taxonomy

It is unclear whether this genus should be classified in the lower or higher epidendroids.

Xerorchis has 8 pollinia, hence similar to the more advanced epidendroid genera of Epidendreae and Arethuseae. Yet its morphology, with unthickened stems and persistent leaves, is that of a bambusoid grass and makes it more similar to Tropidieae or Triphoreae.