The Genus Phalaenopsis
Subgenus Phalaenopsis (continued)
David Lafarge
T
he subgenus Phalaenopsis contains the type species of the
genus (Phal. amabilis), and is
characterized by a simple callus (excepting for the three species of
section Deliciosae) and smooth lateral lobes. Most of the species produce
white or pink flowers, eventually punctuated at the base of floral pieces.
Section Esmeralda Rchb.f.
Type species: Phal. pulcherrima. The
three species of this section used to be
considered as the genus Doritis Lindl.
Because of floral morphology and molecular studies Christenson (2001) decided to merge Doritis into a broadly
defined Phalaenopsis. This decision was
not followed by the RHS until recently
for orchid regist &F