Ophioglossella is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae endemic to New Guinea.Schuiteman, A. (1999). "Biogeography of Malesian Orchidaceae." Flora Malesiana Bulletin, 12(6), 273-287. The sole species is Ophioglossella chrysostoma.
Description This species has been previously misidentified as member of the genera Sarcochilus, Pteroceras, Dryadorchis, and Grosourdya. Ophioglossella chrysostoma Schuit. & Ormerod is a small, short-stemmed, monopodial epiphyte with nearly sickle-shaped, twisted leaves, and sparsely to many-flowered racemes. The flowers are white with additional pink colouration. The labellum is mobile and does not possess a spur. The androecium consists of four pollinia.
Ecology It occurs at elevations of above sea level in montane forests.
Etymology The specific epithet of the type species chrysostoma consists of chryso-, meaning golden,chryso-. (n.d.). In The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chryso- and -stoma meaning mouth.stoma. (n.d.). In The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoma It refers to the golden inner side of the labellum.
Conservation This species appears to be widespread, but rare and appears to have a low numbers of individuals.Schuiteman, A., & Ormerod, P. (1998). "Ophioglossella (Orchidaceae-Aeridinae), a new genus from Papua New Guinea." Kew Bulletin, 741-745.
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