Aorchis

Aorchis Vermeulen 1972, is a small genus of two terrestrial

species from the orchid family (Orchidaceae), subfamily Orchidoideae, tribe Orchideae, subtribe Orchidinae.

These

species occurs in shrubs and alpine meadows at elevations of 2300--4300 m, from the Himalayas to China, Japan, Korea and the

Russian Far East, often forming extensive colonies. In the past they have been described as belonging to the genera

Habenaria, Gymnadenia or Galeorchis.

These orchids are between 8 and 15 cm tall. They have a sympodial growth, with

long, slender, creeping rhizomes.

The erect stem is cylindric, with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at its foot.

The

broad, acute leaves are elliptic, spatulate or spatulate-oblanceolate. The plants show mostly two opposite leaves, (rarely 1

or 3) with a leafstalk, folded lengthwise.

The inflorescence (1,5 …quot; 5 cm) is a raceme with 1-5 flowers; twisted

to one side, growing on an erect scape (= naked peduncle rising from the ground). The main stalk is glabrous with spreading

floral bracts. The glabrous, epigynous ovary is spindle-shaped. They bloom from July till August.

The pink sepals and

petals, are oblong with an obtuse apex. The dorsal sepals form a hood with the petals.

The pink lip is marked with

many purple dots and is as long as the sepals. It shows an oblong, elliptic or ovoid shape with a nearly entire margin. There

is a short spur.

Species
Aorchis cyclochila (Russian Far East to Japan).
Aorchis spathulata

(Himalaya to SC. China).

Reference
Bergel, G., Aorchis cyclochila (Franch et Savat) Hashimoto - Die

Orchidee 51 2000, Heft 2