Wullschlaegelia is a genus of orchids, (family Orchidaceae), consisting of two species in the Caribbean Islands and to much of Latin America from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. These are myco-heterotrophic plants, lacking chlorophyll and subsisting entirely on nutrients obtained from soil fungi.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesPridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.C. & Rasmussen, F.N. (2006). Epidendroideae (Part One). Genera Orchidacearum 4: 1-672. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford.Nir, M. Orchidaceae Antillanae, 399-400, 2000 The genus has previously been included in the tribe Calypsoeae, but is now included as the only genus in the tribe Wullschlaegelieae, pending further study.
Wullschlaegelia aphylla (Sw.) Rchb. - West indies, Mexico, Central America, much of South America Wullschlaegelia calcarata Benth. - Central America, West Indies, northern South America
The genus is named for botanist Heinrich Wullschlägel.
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