title: Dryadorchis
text: # Dryadorchis
  
  Dryadorchis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is endemic to New Guinea.
  
  ## Description
  
  The stems are very short, and they bear subfalcate leaves. The racemose inflorescences have a swollen rhachis. They produce short-lived flowers with a long, slim column, which houses four pollinia. The unspurred labellum has a concavity in its centre.
  
  ## Etymology
  
  The genus name of Dryadorchis refers to Dryad, a tree nymph or tree spirit in Greek mythology.
  
  ## Ecology
  
  Dryadorchis grows epiphytically at elevations of 0-1700 m above sea level.
  
  ## Taxonomy
  
  ### Proposed merging with other genera
  
  It was proposed to merge this genus with Sarcochilus and Thrixspermum, which however was rejected.
  
  ### Species
  
  It contains 5 known species, which are all endemic to New Guinea:
  
  * Dryadorchis barbellata Schltr.
  * Dryadorchis dasystele Schuit. & de Vogel
  * Dryadorchis huliorum (Schuit.) Christenson & Schuit.
  * Dryadorchis minor Schltr.
  * Dryadorchis singularis (J.J.Sm.) Christenson & Schuit.
  