Galeola


Galeola is a genus of orchids in the family Orchidaceae belonging to the subfamily Vanilloideae.
All species in this genus are myco-heterotrophic, i.e. they are parasitic upon fungi. The genus is spread throughout southeast Asia as well as Madagascar and Comoros.
Galeola is of biological interest because of its exclusive myco-heterotrophic nature and its seeds. The seeds are the biggest orchid seeds in the world. They are winged, which is also extraordinary for an orchid.

Species

At present, there are 6 currently recognized species:
  • Galeola cathcarthii Hook.f. - Thailand, Myanmar, India Bhutan
  • Galeola faberi Rolfe - China, Assam, Nepal, Vietnam, Sumatra
  • Galeola falconeri Hook.f. - India, Bhutan, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, China
  • Galeola humblotii H.G.Reichb. - Madagascar, Comoros
  • Galeola lindleyana H.G.Reichb.- Bhutan, China, India, Sumatra, Vietnam, Nepal, Taiwan
  • Galeola nudifolia Lour. - China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, New Guinea