ORCHIDACEAE
Goodyera R. Br., Hort. Kew 5: 197(1813).
By: Lokesh R. Shakya
Taxon Description
Perennial terrestrial or rarely epiphytic rhizomatous herb; rhizome elongate, creeping, rooting at nodes. Stems erect or ascending, short or elongated, slightly succulent, few to many leaved. Leaves distant, crowded or subrosulate or rosulate; alternate or spirally arranged, glabrous, pale to dark green, adaxially sometimes with white or silvery midvein, few species with white reticulate venation, rarely with light green reticulate venation, green with irregular white spots; lanceolate to ovate rarely cordate, sometimes oblique, slightly fleshy rarely thin textured, petiolate; petiole sheathing at the base, persistent. Inflorescence terminal, erect, rarely recurved, racemose, glabrous or pubescent, 2- to many-flowered, secund or cylindric. Sterile bracts present, usually foliaceous. Fertile bracts glabrous or pubescent, equaling or exceeding ovary, or equaling or exceeding flower. Flowers opening weakly, rarely lateral sepals spreading, resupinate, green, brownish or white, pubescent or glabrous on outer surface. Sepals subsimilar, outer surface glabrous or pubescent. Dorsal sepal concave, connivent with petals and forming a hood over column. Lateral sepals connivent with lip. Petals free, glabrous. Lip without spur, unlobed, cymbiform, hypochile saccate and usually papillose inside; epichile short or long, elliptic to lanceolate. Column short, dilated towards apex; anther erect; pollinia 2, each deeply cleft, granular, sectile, attached to a small ovate viscidium; rostellum long, erect, deeply cleft; stigma lobes connate.
Taxon Statistics
Worldwide about 100 species, distributed in Europe, W. Indian Ocean to Pacific and Central America, 13 species in Nepal.
Key to Species
1a Leaves rosulate or subrosulate at the base of stem…………………………………………………. 2
b Leaves spaced along stem or clustered towards middle or apex of stem……………………………. 6
2 a Leaves rosulate………………………………………………………………………….. 3. G. fusca
b Leaves subrosulate………………………………………………………………………………… 3
3 a Leaves light green, upper surface with irregular white markings……….11. G. schlechtendaliana
b Leaves deep green, upper surface with white band along midvein or with white reticulate venation ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
4a Lower surface of leaves with white band along midvein………………………………6. G. marginata
b Lower surface of leaves with white reticulate venation……………………………………………….5
5a Rachis 2–7-flowered. Lip 7–8 mm. Hypochile subsaccate, sac setose within………..4. G. hemselyana
b Rachis many-flowered (usually more than 7). Lip 3–4 mm. Hypochile saccate, sac smooth within……………………………………………………………………………………….. G. repens
6a Upper surface of leaves with white or pale green reticulate venation or irregular white markings or broad white or silver band along mid-vein …………………………….7
b Upper surface of leaves evenly green, without pale markings …………………………………………11
7a Upper surface of leaves with irregular white markings………………………11. G. schlechtendaliana
b Upper surface of leaves with white or light green venation………………………………………….8
8a Upper surface of leaves with light green reticulate venation. Petals rhombic………..12. G. viridiflora
b Upper surface of leaves with white reticulate venation or with silver or white band along midvein. Petals not rhombic ……………………9
9 a Upper surface of leaves with white reticulate venation. Inflorescence 2- or rarely 3-flowered….1. G. biflora
b Upper surface of leaves with silver or white band along midvein. Inflorescence 6- or more flowered…..10
10a Upper surface of leaves with silver band along midvein……………………………….13. G. vittata
b Upper surface of leaves with white band along midvein…………………………..7. G. nankoensis
11a Plants 25-90 cm………………………………………………………………………..8. G. procera
b Plants 9-30 cm……………………………………………………………………………………. 12
12a Inflorescence abruptly recurved…………………………………………………….9. G. recurva
b Inflorescence erect……………………………………………………………………………….13
13a Rachis 7-flowered. Pedicel and ovary 8–10 mm……………………………………… 5. G. henryi
b Rachis many-flowered. Pedicel and ovary 10–13 mm………………………………… 2. G. foliosa
1. Goodyera biflora (Lindl.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 114 (1890).
Georchis biflora Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 496 (1840).
Plants terrestrial, 5–10 cm. Rhizome thick, stout, noded, thick root arising from node. Stem ascending, 4–8 cm. Leaves 4 or 5, widely spaced, alternate, abaxially purplish red, adaxially green with white reticulate venation, ovate to elliptic, 1–4 X 0.75–2 cm, acute, petiole 0.6–1.5 cm. Inflorescence 15–20 mm, usually 2-flowered, rarely 3-flowered, secund; peduncle reddish, pubescent. Sterile bracts 1 or 2, rarely up to 5, oblong-lanceolate. Fertile bracts lanceolate, 20 mm, acute, exceeding pedicel and ovary. Flowers 25 mm long, white flushed with yellowish and pink. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, ca. 6 mm, pubescent. Sepals subsimilar, pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal linear-lanceolate, 20–25 X 3 mm, acute, recurved at apex. Lateral sepals linear-lanceolate, 20–25 X 3 mm, acute, straight. Petals linear-oblanceolate, slightly oblique, 20–25 X 3 mm, acute. Lip 15–20 mm; hypochile saccate, sac papillose within; epichile ligulate, twice as long as sac, recurved. Column ca. 3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya and E Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 1900-2200 m.
Ecology: Damp places.
Flowering: February – July.
2. Goodyera foliosa (Lindl.) Benth. ex C.B. Clarke, J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 25: 73 (1889).
Georchis foliosa Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 496 (1840).
Plants terrestrial, 10–30 cm. Rhizome long, creeping, stem-like. Stem erect, lower part ascending, leafy upward, 10–20 cm. Leaves 3-7, distant, ovate-lanceolate to elliptic, green, oblique, 3.5–7 X 1.4–3 cm, margin undulate, acute, petiole 1–2.5 cm. Inflorescence 4–7.5 cm, erect, sparsely pubescent, many-flowered; peduncle green, pubescent. Sterile bracts 1 or 2, lanceolate. Fertile bracts linear-lanceolate, 10–20 mm, acuminate, convex, exceeding the flower. Flowers 8–15 mm long, greenish-white or white. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 10–13 mm, pubescent. Sepals similar, subequal, ovate-oblong, pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal 6–8 X 4 mm. Lateral sepals oblong-ovate, 6–8 X 4 mm, subacute. Petals rhombic, oblique, 5–8 X 4 mm, acute, glabrous. Lip 6–9 X 4.5–5 mm; hypochile saccate, sac papillose within; epichile ligulate, obtuse, recurved. Column 3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, E Asia, SE Asia.
Altitudinal range: 2100-2300 m.
Ecology: Damp places, Quercus–Rhododendron forest.
Flowering: September – November.
3. Goodyera fusca (Lindl.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 112 (1890).
Hetaeria fusca Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 491 (1840).
Plants terrestrial, 10–25 cm. Rhizome short, few noded. Stem erect, glabrous, 2–5 cm. Leaves 5-10, arising from near the base of stem, rosulate, green, ovate or ovate-elliptic, 2–4 X 2 cm, acute or obtuse, thick, fleshy, petiole 1–2 cm. Inflorescence ca. 9–20 cm, erect, compact, sparsely pubescent, densely many-flowered; peduncle pale green, sparsely pubescent. Sterile bracts 1-3, oblong, acute. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 10–20 mm, pubescent, acute, exceeding the ovary, basal ones exceeding flowers. Flowers ca. 6 mm long, white or creamy yellow, flushed with pale green. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 4–6 mm, pubescent. Sepals subequal, pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong, 6–7 X 1.5–2 mm, concave, obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong, oblique, 6–7 X 2–3 mm, subacute. Petals linear-oblong, falcate, 5–7 X 2 mm, 1-veined, obtuse. Lip 2.5–5 X 2.5 mm, hypochile saccate, 2-ridged within, conspicuous, projecting beyond the base of the lateral sepals; epichile abruptly narrowed into a deflexed, linear beak. Column ca. 1.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, E Asia and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 3200-4700 m.
Ecology: Grazed alpine grassland with Empetrum nigrum and Rhododendron lepidotum.
Flowering: August – September.
4. Goodyera hemsleyana King and Pantl. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 64: 342(1896).
Plants terrestrial, 14–20 cm. Rhizome short, roots few, thick. Stem erect, lower part enveloped in leaf sheaths, 10-15 cm. Leaves 3-5, 2–5 x 1–2cm, broadly ovate, acute, glabrous, dark green with white reticulations, 2–5 x 1–2 cm, acute, petiole 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescence ca. 7.5 cm, erect, 2-7 flowered, subsecund, peduncle pubescent. Sterile bracts 2 or 3, foliaceous, lanceolate. Fertile bracts 1–1.5 cm, lanceolate, glandular pubescent at the base, exceeding the ovary. Flowers up to 1.5 cm, pinkish-white or white, reddish-brown externally, pubescent. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 5–8 mm, pubescent. Sepals subsimilar, 5–8 mm, 3-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 6–7 x 1.5–2, upper surface pubescent, obtuse with slightly recurved tip. Lateral sepals ovate, 9–10 x 3–4 mm, acuminate. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 6–7 mm, falcate, 3-veined. Lip 7–8 mm, simple, oblong, entire, hypochile subsaccate with a sharp tooth at each side of the mouth, inside setose; epichile obtuse, with 3 distinct lamellae, lamellae scabrid. Column 3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 2000-2200 m.
Ecology: Quercus forest.
Flowering: July – September.
5. Goodyera henryi Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew. 1896: 201 (1896).
Plants terrestrial, 14 cm. Rhizome slender, few nodded, thick root arising from node. Stem ascending, 11 cm. Leaves 6, lower 2 widely spaced, upper 4 crowded at apex, oblong to ovate, glabrous, green without white reticulations, 2.5–5 x 1.4–2.4 cm, acute, petiole 1–2 cm. Inflorescence 5 cm, erect, rachis sparsely pubescent, 7 flowered, subsecund; peduncle sparcely pubescent, covered with sterile bracts. Sterile bracts 4, foliaceous, lanceolate. Fertile bracts 1.6 cm, lanceolate, glabrous, exceeding flower. Flowers 7–10 mm long, opening weakly, white, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary cylindric fusiform, 8-10 mm, glabrous. Sepals subequal, glabrous, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong, concave, 9-12 x 3.5 mm, slightly obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate-oblong, oblique, 9-11 x 3.5 mm, acuminate. Petals rhombic, 9 x 4 mm, oblique, 5-8 x 4 mm, acute, glabrous. Lip 8 × 4 mm; ovate, cymbiform, hypochile concave-saccate, inside papillose; epichile ligulate, apex acute. Column 3 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Asia
Altitudinal range: 2400 m.
Ecology: Damp places in forest.
Flowering: August – October.
6. Goodyera marginata Lindl. Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 493 (1840).
Plants terrstrial, 10–25 cm. Rhizome slender, many noded. Stem erect, glabrous, 4–6 cm. Leaves 4 to 6, ovate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, subrosulate near the base or spaced along stem, fleshy, subacute, green, adaxally with white reticulate markings and white band along midvein, 2–5 x 1–1.2 cm, acute, petiole 4–8 mm. Inflorescence up to 20 cm, floriferous, subsecund. Sterile bracts 4-6, lanceolate. Fertile bracts pale grayish green, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 12 × 3 mm. Flowers white or pale pink, not fully opened. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, pubescent, 7 x 4 mm. Sepals greenish-pink, glabrous, obtuse 1-veined 5 x 2.5 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong. Lateral sepals falcate-oblong, oblique. Petals ovate-elliptic, 1-veined, glabrous, 4.5 × 1.5 mm. Lip ovate concave-saccate, with three dents outside, the middle one protuberant; ovate-elliptic epichile acute at apex, slightly recurved, pink at the bend. Column ca. 1 mm.
Distribution: Nepal and W Himalaya.
Altitudinal range: 2500 m.
Ecology: Rhododendron forest.
Flowering: August.
7. Goodyera nankoensis Fukuy., Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 48: 432 (1934).
Plants terrestrial, ca. 9 cm. Rhizome creeping, stout, apex ascending into short stem, few noded. Stem ascending, leafy upward, 2-3 cm. Leaves 3, spaced along stem, ovate, adaxially pale green with white band along midvein, ca. 2 x 1.3 cm, acute, petiole 2–4 mm. Inflorescence 9 cm, densely 10-flowered, subsecund, peduncle pale green, sparsely pubescent, up to 10 cm. Sterile bracts 4, glabrous, sheath-like. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 7-10 mm, acuminate, basal ones exceeding ovary. Flowers opening weakly, white tinged pink. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 7-8 mm, sparsely pubescent. Sepals concave, glabrous, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong, ca. 6 x 2.2 mm, acute. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, oblique, 7 x 3 mm, acute. Petals rhomboic-spathulate, 6-7 x 3-3.5, obtuse, 1-veined. Lip 5-6 x 2.6 mm, ovate, hypochile concave-saccate, glabrous; epichile ligulate, cymbiform, acute, slightly recurved. Column ca. 1.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal and East Asia
Altitudinal range: 2000 m.
Ecology:
Flowering: September
G. nankoensis endemic to the central mountains of Taiwan. Recently it is recorded from Nepal. Description is based on single specimen deposited at KATH (Bhakta B. Raskoti 009123). Number of leaves 3 in the specimen, in Flora of China number varies from 4-6.
8. Goodyera procera (Ker Gawl.) Hook., Exot. Fl. 1(3): t 39 (1823).
Neottia procera Ker Gawl, in Bot. Reg. 8: t 639 (1822).
Plants terrestrial, 25–90 cm. Rhizome stout, few noded. Stem erect, glabrous, lower part covered by lax sheaths, upper part leafy, 10–30 cm. Leaves 6–8 (-11), oblong-elliptic to narrowly ovate-elliptic, 8–15 X 3–5 cm, acute, petiole 5–7 cm. Inflorescence (😎 12–56 cm, erect, densely many-flowered, peduncle green, glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Sterile bracts 3–5, lanceolate. Fertile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 5–10 mm, acuminate, equaling or slightly smaller than the flowers, glabrous. Flowers subglobose, 4–5 mm across, uniformly white or whitish-green. Pedicel and ovary twisted, cylindric-fusiform, 3–5 mm, glabrous. Sepals subsimilar, glabrous, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal ovate or elliptic, 2–3 X 1.5–2.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals ovate, slightly oblique, 2.5–3 X 1.5–2 mm, acute. Petals spathulate, 2–3 X 1–1.5 mm, acute, 1-veined. Lip subglobose, 2–3 mm, hypochile saccate, inside papillose, epichile deltoid, small, recurved, with two small calli. Column short, fleshy, 1.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau, Assam-Burma, S Asia, E Asia, and S E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 900-1000 m.
Ecology: On rocky slopes with Lycopodium cernua.
Flowering: May – June.
9. Goodyera recurva Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 1: 183 (1857).
Plants epiphytic, 8–20 cm. Rhizome slender, few noded. Stem erect, base covered by sheath, 3–7 cm. Leaves 6 or 7, distant or clustered, abaxially pale green, adaxially green, narrowly ovate or elliptic, 2–-5 × 0.7–-1.5, acute, petiole ca.1 cm. Inflorescence 7–10 cm, abruptly recurved, secund, densely many flowered, peduncle pubescent. Sterile bracts 3-5, oblong. Fertile bracts lanceolate, pubescent, 8–15 mm, acuminate. Flowers 5 mm long, white, half opening. Pedicel and ovary fusiform, 4–10 mm, pubescent. Sepals subsimilsr, sparsely pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal ovate, 4–6 x 2–4 mm, acute. Lateral sepals oblong, oblique, 6–7 x 2–3 mm, subacute. Petals linear-oblong, oblique, 4–6 x 2 mm, acute. Lip cymbiform, ovate, 5–6 mm, hypochile saccate-concave, epichile ligulate with recurved apex. Column ca. 2 mm.
Distribution: C Nepal, E Asia, S Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1400-2800 m.
Ecology: Epiphytic on trees.
Flowering: September
10. Goodyera repens (L.) R. Br., Hort. Kew. 5: 198 (1813).
Satyrium repens L., Sp. Pl.: 945 (1753).
Plants terrestrial, 10–25 cm. Rhizome slender, many noded. Stem ascending, pubescent, 4–6 cm. Leaves 4 to 6, subrosulate near the base, adaxially deep green with white reticulate venation, ovate to ovate-elliptic, 2–5 X 1–1.2 cm, acute, petiole 4–8 mm. Inflorescence 5–17 cm, erect, laxly many-flowered, secund; peduncle pale green, pubescent. Sterile bracts 2–5, lanceolate. Fertile bracts lanceolate, 8–10 mm, acute, equaling or slightly exceeding the flowers. Flowers 5–8 mm long, uniformly white or flushed with brownish pink. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 4–5 mm, glandular-pubescent. Sepals subsimilar, pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong, 3–4 X 1.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals ovate, oblique, 3–4.5 X 2 mm, acute. Petals oblong, 3–4 X 1 mm, 1-veined, acute. Lip 3–4 mm; hypochile saccate, sac smooth within, without any ridges or callus; epichile ligulate, short, straight or slightly recurved. Column fleshy, 1.5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Asia, Europe, N America.
Altitudinal range: 1000-4200 m.
Ecology: Within shade in Rhododendron forest.
Flowering: July – August.
11. Goodyera schlechtendaliana Rchb. f., Linnaea 22: 861 (1850).
Plants terrestrial, 20–29 cm. Rhizome stout, many noded. Stem pubescent, enveloped in the loose sheathing leaf petiole, 6-20 cm. Leaves 2-6, subrosulate or spaced with spiral arrangement, adaxially green with irregular white spots, ovate-lanceolate to elliptic, 3.5-7.5 x 1.5-2.8 cm, reticulate, acute, petiole 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescence 10–22 cm, erect, densely pubescent, laxly, many-flowered; penduncle pale green, pubescent. Sterile bracts 2–4, lanceolate. Fertile bracts linear-lanceolate, 9–13 mm, acute, pubescent, equaling or slightly exceeding the ovary, gradually becoming smaller upward. Flowers 10–16 mm long, white or yellowish-pink. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 5–10 mm, pubescent. Sepals subsimilar, pubescent on outer surface, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong, 7.5–9 X 2.5–3 mm, acute. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, 8–9 X 3–4 mm, acute. Petals oblong, 7–9 X 2–3 mm, acute, 1-veined. Lip 7–9 mm, hypochile saccate, inside papillose, epichile ligulate, slightly incurved, acute, ca. 5 mm. Column ca. 5 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, Assam-Burma, E Asia and S E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1500-2200 m.
Ecology: Within shade in broadleaved forest.
Flowering: August – September.
12. Goodyera viridiflora (Bl.) Blume Coll. Orchid.: 41 (1852).
Neottia viridiflora Bl. Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 408 (1825).
Plants terrestrial, 9–20 cm. Rhizome slender. Stem 4–5 cm, erect or ascending, glabrous. Leaves 3–5, short distant or more or less crowded above the base, thin textured, both surfaces light green, adaxial surface with light green venation, cordate or ovate, 2–5 X 1–2.8 cm, acute, petiole 1–2 cm. Inflorescence 5–14 cm, erect, pubescent, laxly 3–5 flowered, peduncle pubescent. Sterile bracts (1) or 2–3, lanceolate. Fertile bracts oblong-lanceolate, ca. 15 X 5 mm, acuminate, margin ciliate, slightly exceeding the ovary. Flowers 12–14 mm across, pale green, tinged with brownish yellow, lip green at base. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, ca. 10 mm. Sepals subsimilar, glabrous, 1-veined. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, ca. 10 X 3 mm, acute. Lateral sepals widely spreading, oblong-elliptic, ca. 9 X 2 mm, acute. Petals rhombic, oblique, ca. 10 X 4.5 mm, acute, 1-veined. Lip 10–12 X 4.5 mm; hypochile saccate, papillose within; epichile ligulate, apex obtuse, recurved. Column ca. 8 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, E Asia, Assam-Burma and S E Asia.
Altitudinal range: 1500-1600 m.
Ecology: Forests, damp places along streams.
Flowering: June –August.
13. Goodyera vittata (Lindl.) Benth. ex Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 113 (1890).
Georchis vittata Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 1: 184 (1857).
Plants terrestrial, 10–21 cm. Rhizome slender, few noded. Stem 5–6 cm, erect, stout, glabrous, leafy upward. Leaves 5–7, distant, alternate, abaxially light purple, adaxially green with silver band along mid-rib, ovate-lanceolate, 2–5 X 0.8–3 cm, acute, petiole 1–1.5 cm. Inflorescence 4–10 cm, erect, glabrous, many-flowered, secund; peduncle glabrous. Sterile bracts 1 or 2, lanceolate. Fertile bracts lanceolate, 9–13 mm, acuminate, slightly exceeding the ovary. Flowers 6–15 mm, pinkish-white. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-fusiform, 6–8 mm, glabrous. Sepals subsimilar, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous, 3-veined. Dorsal sepal concave, ca. 8 X 3 mm. Lateral sepals oblique, ca. 8 X 4 mm. Petals oblanceolate, oblique, ca. 8 X 2 mm, oblique, obtuse. Lip ca. 8 X 5 mm; hypochile saccate, papillose within; epichile oblong-lanceolate, with 2 longitudinal lamellae, apex acute, slightly recurved. Column short, 1 mm.
Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, E Himalaya, Tibetan Plateau and Assam-Burma.
Altitudinal range: 2000-3100 m.
Ecology: Shady places.
Flowering: October.