Comprehensive DescriptionRead full entry The genus Anoectochilus
consists of approximately 30 species of small terrestrial herbs
ranging (collectively) from the Himalayan foothills in India to
mountains of Southeast Asia, Japan, Indonesia, and some of the
Pacific Islands, including Taiwan. Anoectochilus are shade-
loving plants growing in leaf litter and humus or on mossy
rocks. They are often referred to as "jewel orchids" due to the
remarkable coloration of their leaves. While some Anoectochilus
have green leaves, most have velvety maroon-green or blackish-
green leaves with glistening metallic veins of copper, silver,
or gold. The name Anoectochilus comes from the Greek "aniktos" =
"open" and "cheilos" = "lip" or "labellum", a reference to the
open aspect of the flowers. The flowers, though small, are large
in proportion to the size of the plants and bear some
interesting features, particularly related to the labellum,
which is clawed and has nodules or projections off both lateral
sides so that it resembles