Apostasia

Apostasia Blume 1825 contains about 10 species distributed

from Asia through New Guinea to as far as North Queensland in Australia.

Apostasia is a member of the subfamily

APOSTASIOIDEAE which contains two genera with about 16 species. These rare orchids have two or three lateral anthers. Several

primitive features makes them, according to some authorities, not true orchids but rather ancestors of modern orchids. The

two genera are : Apostasia, Neuwiedia

Apostasias are generally erect terrestrial plants with slender stem,

sometimes branched, and closely set leaves. The terminal inflorescence is erect to lax, with up to six side branches bearing

up to thirty flowers. the flowers are usually yellow, sometimes white.

Apostasia odorata Blume.