Pinalia

Pinalia, commonly known as gremlin orchids,^[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the family Orchidaceae. Orchids in this genus are large epiphytic or lithophytic plants with prominent pseudobulbs, each with up to three thin, flat leaves and cup-shaped, relatively short-lived flowers with scale-like brown hairs on the outside. There are about 120 species occurring from tropical to subtropical Asia to the south-west Pacific.

Description

Orchids in the genus Pinalia are epiphytic or lithophytic, rarely terrestrial herbs with prominent, fleshy pseudobulbs that are covered with papery brown bracts when young. Each pseudobulb has up to three thin, leathery, linear to lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are resupinate, usually cup-shaped and last for a few days. The dorsal sepal is narrower than the lateral sepals which are attached at their base to the column to form a small ledge. The labellum is hinged to the base of the column and has three relatively small lobes.^[2][3][4]

Distribution

Orchids in the genus Pinalia occur in China (about 17 species), Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, the Indian subcontinent, the Andaman Islands, Laos, Myanmar, the Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, the Maluku Islands, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Queensland (Australia) and Samoa.^[1]

Taxonomy and naming

The genus Pinali was first formally described in 1826 by John Lindley who published the description in Orchidearum Sceletos.^[1][5] The name Pinalia is based on an unpublished name suggested by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, derived from a Nepalese word meaning a type of forest yam.^[6]

Species list

Species accepted by the Plants of the World Online as of February 2021:^[7]

References