ORCHIDACEAE
Eulophia R. Br., Bot. Reg. 7: t. 573 (1821).
Cyrtopera Lindl.; Geodorum Andrews
By: Bhakta B. Raskoti
Taxon Description
Terrestrial, autotrophic or rarely heteromycotrophic herbs. Tuber conical, cylindric or corm-like, rhizome either subterranean or aboveground, nodded, containing several roots at base. Subterranean stem producing scape or pseudostem from the lateral side. Leaves basal, base contracted into a long petiole-like stalk, occurring either at flowering time or later; linear-lanceolate, oblong, broadly lanceolate. Inflorescence sheathed, slender, erect, racemose or rarely paniculate; rachis sometimes nooding, laxly to subdensely flowered. Flowers resupinate, full or only half opening; pedicel and ovary slender. Sepals free, similar; lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals similar to dorsal sepal or sometimes wider. Lip entire or 3-lobed, lateral lobes erect and embracing column, base spurred or saccate; disk containing callus, lamellae, ridges or fringes. Column winged or wingless, short or long; pollinia 2, subglobose; viscidium oblong, elliptic or suborbicular; stipes short and broad. Fruit fusiform or oblong, ridged.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide about 200 species in tropical and subtropical area of Africa, C Asia, SE Asia, S Asia and Australasia. Ten species in Nepal.
Key to Species
1 a Rachis drooping, lip entire, spur absent…………………………………………………………………………………..2. E. cernua
b Rachis erect, lip distinctly or obscurely lobed, spurred at base…………………………………………………………………..2
2 a Inflorescence paniculate, sepals and petals olive-green……………………………………………………..6. E. graminea
b Inflorescence racemose, sepals and petals not olive-green……………….……………………………………………………….3
3 a Leaves developing after anthesis……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
b Leaves developing at anthesis…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7
4 a Flower more than 3 cm across, yellowish……………………………………………………………………………………5. E. flava
b Flower less than 3 cm across, not yellowish………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
5 a Floral bracts longer than pedicel and ovary, spur cylindric ……………………………………………………….3. E. dabia
b Flower bracts shorter than pedicel and ovary, spur conic or saccate…………………………………………………………6
6 a. Leaves linear-lanceolate, sterile bracts present, lip subpanduriform………………………………..4. E. explanata
b Leaves broadly elliptic, sterile bracts absent, lip subovate……………………………………………………..1. E. bicallosa
7 a Floral bracts lanceolate, petals elliptic-ovate……………………………………………………………………………………………8
b Floral bracts linear, petals oblong-ovate or obovate-oblong……………………………………………………………………….9
8 a Leaves oblong-lanceolate, lip ovate-oblong, spur broadly conic…………………………………………………9. E. nuda
b Leaves linear, lip oblong, spur conic…………………………………………………………………………………………10. E. obtusa
9 a Leaves broadly lanceolate, floral bracts equal or shorter than ovary and pedicel…………….8. E. mackinonii
b Leaves lanceolate, floral bracts longer than ovary and pedicel………………………………………………7. E. herbacea
1. Eulophia bicallosa (D. Don) P. F. Hunt & Summerh., Kew Bull. 20: 60 (1966).
Bletia bicallosa D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 30 (1825); Graphorkis bicallosa (D. Don) Kuntze; Limodorum bicallosum (D. Don) Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don
Plants 50–75 cm tall. Pseudobulbs subglobose to cylindric, 40–50 × 15–20 mm. Leaves developing after anthesis, linear, 20–40 × 0.5–1 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 30–60 cm, rachis 10 cm, erect, subdensely up to 20-flowered; peduncle with 2–3 tubular sheaths, sheaths ovate-lanceolate, 10–20 × 5–10 cm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–8 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acuminate; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3 cm across; sepals and petals pale green with purple veins and tinged purplish, lip with dark purple venations. Pedicel and ovary 10–15 mm. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, 10–15 × 3–4 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, slightly oblique. Petals lanceolate-elliptic, 10–15 × 5–6 mm, apex acute. Lip subovate, 10–15 × 5–7 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes triangular, 1.5–3.5 × 6–10 mm, oblique, apex obtuse; mid-lobe broadly ovate, 5–9 × 6–10 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, retuse; disk with longitudinal ridges; spur saccate, ca. 3 mm. Column ca. 6 mm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal, S Asia, W Himalaya, SE Asia, Africa and Australasia.
Altitudinal range: 200–300 m.
Ecology: Forests, shaded and damp places along valleys.
Flowering: February–March. Fruiting: April–June.
2. Eulophia cernua (Wild.) M.W. Chase, Kumar & Schuit., Phytotaxa 491: 51(2021).
Malaxis cernua Willd., Sp. Pl. ed. 4. 4: 93 (1805); Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr.; Limodorum densiflorum Lam.; Tropidia grandis Hance
Plants 10–40 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ellipsoid to ovoid, 10–20 × 10 mm. Leaves developing at anthesis, elliptic, narrowly elliptic, or oblong-lanceolate, 7–30 × 2.5–6 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence racemose, 12–30 cm, rachis 2–5 cm, drooping, densely up to10-flowered; peduncle with 2–3 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 20–30 × 3–4 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 15–20 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acuminate; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 1–1.5 cm across, not opening widely, sepals and petals white to pinkish, lip flushed central yellow and crimson-purple venations and streaks. Pedicel and ovary 8–10 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong, 10–15 × 2–3 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, slightly oblique. Petals subobovate-oblong, 10–12 × 4–5 mm, apex acute. Lip broadly ovate-oblong, 8–10 × 8–9 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse, retuse; disk with callus and longitudinal ridges; spur absent. Column 3–5 mm. Fruit fusiform.
Distribution: Nepal, SE Asia, C Asia, S Asia and Australasia
Altitudinal range: 300–2400 m.
Ecology: Grassland slopes, forest margins.
Flowering: April–June. Fruiting: June–July.
3. Eulophia dabia (D. Don) Hochr., Bull. New York Bot. Gard. 6: 270 (1910).
Bletia dabia D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 30 (1825); Eulophia campestris Wall. ex Lindl.; E. hormusjii Duthie
Plants 14–40 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ovate, 10–20 × 10–12 mm. Leaves developing after anthesis, linear, 15–30 × 0.4–0.7 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 14–40 cm, rachis 5–17 cm, erect, laxly 4–17-flowered; peduncle with 4–5 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 15–50 × 5–10 mm, apex acuminate. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 10–12 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acute. Floral bracts oblong-lanceolate, 7–30 × 2–3 mm, apex acuminate; longer than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 1–2 cm across, sepals and petals pale pink to maroon, with dark purple veins, lip flushed with yellow and white. Pedicel and ovary 8–20 mm. Dorsal sepals oblong, 7–17 × 2–3.5 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals obovate-oblong, 6–12 × 2–3 mm, apex acute. Lip broadly oblong-obovate, 8–12 × 6–8 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes broadly ovate-triangular, 4–5 × 4 mm, apex obtuse; mid-lobe orbicular, 3–4 × 2–5 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, retuse; disk with fimbriate longitudinal lamellae; spur cylindric, 3–5 mm. Column 4–8 mm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal, S Asia and C Asia.
Altitudinal range: 400-1300 m.
Ecology: Grasslands slopes and forest margins.
Flowering: April–May. Fruiting: May–June.
4. Eulophia explanata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 180 (1833).
Graphorkis explanata (Lindl.) Kuntze; Lissochilus explanatus (Lindl.) Schltr.
Plants 16–36 cm tall. Pseudobulbs subglobose, 15–30 × 10–15 mm. Leaves developing after anthesis, broadly elliptic, 25–30 × 1–1.5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 16–35 cm, rachis 7–20 cm, erect, laxly 4–16-flowered; peduncle with 2–4 clasping or tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 20–40 × 2–4 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 5–11 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acute. Floral bracts lanceolate, 4–5 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acute; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers ca. 2 cm across, sepals and petals pale purplish brown, lip tinged yellow. Pedicel and ovary 7–20 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong, 15–20 × 3–6 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals elliptic, 15–17 × 5–9 mm, apex obtuse. Lip subpanduriform, 12–16 × 8–12 mm, obscurely 3-lobed; lateral lobes semi-elliptic, ca. 1.5–2 × 1.5–2 mm, apex rounded; mid-lobe nearly rounded, 4 × 3 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, retuse; disk with longitudinal ridges; spur conic, 1–1.5 mm. Column 6–9 mm. Fruit (not seen).
Distribution: Nepal and S Asia.
Altitudinal range: 800–1000 m.
Ecology: Mixed forests, grassland slopes.
Flowering: April–June. Fruiting: April–June.
5. Eulophia flava (Lindl.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 7 (1890).
Cyrtopera flava Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 189 (1833); Eulophia cullenii (Wight) Blume; Graphorkis flava (Lindl.) Kuntze
Plants 30–40 cm tall. Pseudobulbs (not seen). Leaves developing after anthesis, oblong-lanceolate, 10–15 × 0.6–0.8 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence racemose, ca. 38 cm, rachis 13–20 cm, erect, laxly 2–22-flowered; peduncle with 3 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 40–60 × 10–20 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts ovate, 2–30 × 5–8 mm, apex acute. Floral bracts lanceolate, 10–20 × 3–4 mm, apex acuminate; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3.5–5 cm across, yellowish, lip spotted light to dark brown. Pedicel and ovary 15–25 mm. Dorsal sepals elliptic-lanceolate, 25–34 × 7–10 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals obovate-elliptic, 20–30 × 8–12 mm, apex obtuse. Lip broadly ovate, 20–30 × 15–20 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes subelliptic, 10–15 × 5–8 mm, apex acute; mid-lobe subquadrate, 10–12 × 5–8 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, entire; disk with papillate longitudinal ridges; spur saccate, 2–3 mm. Column ca. 10 mm. Fruit fusiform.
Distribution: Nepal, C Asia, S Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 60–400 m.
Ecology: Damp places and grassland slopes.
Flowering: April–June. Fruiting: June–August.
6. Eulophia graminea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. 182 (1833).
Eulophia decipiens Kurz; Graphorkis graminea (Lindl.) Kuntze
Plants 40–60 cm tall. Pseudobulbs conic or ovoid, 2–6 × 1–3 cm. Leaves developing at anthesis, linear, 12–30 × 0.6–1 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence paniculate, 20–40 cm, rachis 12–17 cm, erect, laxly 10–14-flowered; peduncle with 3 clasping sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 10–20 × 2–4 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 4–8 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 1–1.5 cm across; sepals and petals olive-green with brown venations, lip white blotched purplish red. Pedicel and ovary 15–20 mm. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, 8–12 × 3–4 mm, apex acuminate. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, 8–10 × 2.5–3 mm, apex acuminate. Lip ovate-oblong, 8–10 × 3–5 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes ovate-traingular, ca. 3 × 3 mm, apex obtuse; mid-lobe orbicular, 3–5 × 3–5 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse entire; disk with longitudinal lamellae; spur cylindric, 2–3 mm. Column 5–6 mm. Fruit fusiform.
Distribution: Nepal, S Asia, C Asia, and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 900–1100 m.
Ecology: Open grassland slopes.
Flowering: April–May. Fruiting: May–June.
7. Eulophia herbacea Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 182 (1833).
Eulophia albiflora Edgew. ex Lindl.; Limodorum bicolor Roxb.
Plants 20–40 cm tall. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 20–25 × 20–30 mm. Leaves developing at anthesis, lanceolate, 15–29 × 2–5.5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 22–50 cm, rachis 10–16 cm, erect, laxly 6–10-flowered; peduncle with 2 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 10–20 × 5–8 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acuminate; longer than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2.5 cm across; sepals pale green, petals and lip white flushed yellowish green at base. Pedicel and ovary 10–15 mm. Dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate, 12–15 × 2–3 mm, apex acuminate. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal slightly oblique. Petals obovate-oblong, 12–13 × 2–3 mm, apex acute. Lip ovate-oblong, 12–15 × 6–9 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes subovate, 1 × 1 mm, apex obtuse; mid-lobe broadly oblong, 6–8 × 5–6 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, entire; disk with fimbriate lamillae; spur cylindric, 2–3 mm. Column ca. 8 mm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal, S Asia, C Asia and SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1300–1400 m.
Ecology: Forest margins and grassland slopes.
Flowering: April. Fruiting: June
8. Eulophia mackinnonii Duthie, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 71: 40 (1902).
Plants 35–40 cm tall. Pseudobulbs globose, 20–30 × 15–30 mm. Leaves developing at anthesis, broadly lanceolate, 36–63 × 5–6 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence racemose, 20–30 cm, rachis 12 cm, erect, laxly 8-flowered; peduncle with 3–4 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 30–50 × 4–6 mm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 10–25 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acuminate; equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers ca. 2 cm across, sepals yellow flushed brown, petals and lip light yellow. Pedicel and ovary 15–25 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate, 14–20 × 4–6 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepals, oblique. Petals oblong-ovate, 14–17 × 4–5 mm, apex obtuse. Lip ovate-oblong, 17–20 × 7–10 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes incurved, subovate, ca. 2 × 2 mm, apex obtuse; mid-lobe broadly oblong, 7–8 × 5–7 mm, margin crenulate, apex rounded, retuse; disk with parallel longitudinal ridges; spur saccate, ca. 3 mm. Column ca. 7 mm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal and S Asia.
Altitudinal range: 850–1500 m.
Ecology: Sun exposed forests and grasslands slopes.
Flowering: June. Fruiting: April–June.
9. Eulophia nuda Lindl. Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 180 (1833).
Cyrtopera nuda (Lindl.) Rchb. f.; Wolfia spectabilis Dennst.
Plants 35–60 cm tall. Pseudobulbs subglobose, 2–4 × 1.5–3 cm. Leaves developing at anthesis, oblong-lanceolate, 10–30 × 2–5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 30–50 cm, rachis 10–20 cm, erect, laxly 6-flowered; peduncle with 2 tubular sheaths, sheaths ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–3 × 1.5–2 cm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 10–20 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acuminate; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3 cm across, sepals and petals purplish red, lip tinged yellow at middle. Pedicel and ovary 18–25 mm. Dorsal sepal linear-oblong, 15–25 × 3–5 cm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals ovate-elliptic, 15–20 × 6–9 mm, apex obtuse. Lip ovate-oblong, 10–16 × 9–11 mm, obscurely 3-lobed; lateral sepals ovate, 2 × 1 mm, apex obtuse; mid-lobe oblong, 6–9 × 6–9 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, retuse; disk with parallel longitudinal ridges; spur broadly conic, 6–8 mm. Column 5–9 mm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal, SE Asia, C Asia, S Asia, E Asia and Australasia.
Altitudinal range: 400–800 m.
Ecology: Broad-leaved forest margins and grassland slopes.
Flowering: April–June. Fruiting: June–July.
10. Eulophia obtusa (Lindl.) Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 3 (1890).
Cyrtopera obtusa Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 190 (1833); Graphorkis obtusa (Lindl.) Kuntze; Lissochilus obtusus (Lindl.) Schltr.
Plants 20–45 cm tall. Pseudobulbs subglobose, 15–25 mm. Leaves developing at anthesis, linear, 20–30 × 0.5–1 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, 15–40 cm, rachis 10–25 cm, erect, laxly 10–13-flowered; peduncle with 2–3 tubular sheaths, sheaths lanceolate, 6–8 × 0.5 cm, apex acute. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–12 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acute; shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2 cm across, sepals and petals white, lip white with redish venations. Pedicel and ovary 8–15 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 10–20 × 2–6 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, oblique. Petals ovate-elliptic, 15–20 × 5–8 mm, apex obtuse. Lip oblong, 10–15 × 10–12 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes rounded, 4 × 4 mm, apex broadly obtuse; mid-lobe elliptic-oblong, 8–10 × 5–6 mm, margin crenulate, apex obtuse, entire; disk with calli and longitudinal ridges; spur conic, 5–7 mm. Column ca. 1 cm. Fruit oblong.
Distribution: Nepal and S Asia.
Altitudinal range: 800–1500 m.
Ecology: Open grassland slopes.
Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: August-September.