Dendrophylax lindenii

There are four major classifications of leafless orchids:
1) Leafless epiphytes;
2) Deciduous epiphytes (seasonally leafless);
3) Deciduous terrestrials(seasonally leafless);
4) Saprophytes (not in cultivation).

The leafless epiphytes are the focus of this website.
Leafless epiphytes are found in tropical regions across the globe. While all of the listed genera are described as leafless, there are actually two major growth patterns. Some are truly leafless orchids, since they live their entire lives without leaves. Their vestigial leaves have degenerated into small scale like structures called bracts. These have the entire photosynthetic process taking place in the green
roots which are specially adapted, and are more dependent on mycorrhiza fungus and algae symbionts. Other genera have ephemeral leaves that are soon shed, this is especially true of some of the Asian-Pacific genera such as Chiloschista and Kingidium.
Almost all of the leafless orchids are in the Vandae Tribe. The Aeridinae Subtribe contains Chiloschista, Kingidium, Microtatorchis, and Taeniophyllum (Asian/Pacific genera). The Angraecinae Subtribe contains Campylocentrum, Dendrophylax, Harrisella, and Polyrrhiza/Polyradicion (New World genera). The Aerangidinae Subtribe contains Encheiridion, Microcoelia, and Solenangis (African genera). The exception is Vanilla which is in the Subfamily Epidendroidiae, Tribe Vanilleae, Subtribe Vanillinae and are found worldwide.

GENERA:
Campylocentrum: This genus of 96 species is found from Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Not all the members of this genus are leafless.
Chiloschista: This genus contains 23 species and is found from India and southern Asia into the islands of the Pacific and Australia. Plants may have ephemeral leaves especially during summer growth spurts.
Dendrophylax: This genus of 11 species is found only in the Caribbean. The latest research indicates that Polyrrhiza should be in- cluded in this genus.
Encheiridion: This genus is found only in Africa, and is closely related to Microcoelia. Differing sources list it as having one to three species.
Harrisella: This genus of four species is found in Florida, Jamaica and Cuba. DNA studies may relegate it into Campylocentrum or Dendrophylax.
Kingidium: This genus of ten species containing two subgenera is found in Southeast Asia and it also was placed in Phalaenopsis and Doritis at various times. The first subgenera has seven species and some taxonomists place it into the subgenus Aphyllae of Phalaenopsis. These are the leafless Kingidium. Growers report that some species in this genera are more of a deciduous nature only losing their leaves under stress or drought. Under the more benign conditions of cultivation, plants can retain their leaves year round. The other section is more closely related to Doritis and is placed in Phalaenopsis, subgenus Phalaenopsis, section deliciosae.
Microcoelia:  This genus contains 39 species and is found from Madagascar through tropical Africa. Gussonea is an older name for Solenangis and Microcoelia, sometimes still seen in trade. There are two major types of habitat, open thickets and deep forest. Microtatorchis: Found in the Pacific islands with a center of distribution in New Guinea, not all of the 16 species are leafless. Polyrrhiza: Also known as Polyradicion, this genus has three to five species and is found in Florida and the Caribbean. All species are synonymous with Dendrophylax species, and initial DNA studies include them back into Dendrophylax.
Solenangis: This genus of seven or eight species is found from Madagascar through tropical Africa. Gussonea is an older name for Solenangis and Microcoelia, sometimes still seen in trade. Most species are leafy, with only S. aphylla being leafless.
Taeniophyllum: This genus of 218 species is found from India to Australia, and the Pacific islands in between. There are probably many duplicates, but further research will have to be done. There is also a single emigrant to Africa, T. coxii.
Vanilla: This genus contains 186 species and is pan-tropical, found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific islands. However, not all species are leafless. Some of the leafless species are aphylla, barbellata, decaryana, and dilloniana.
Others: Additionally, there are some other species which are reported to be leafless, such as Mystacidium gracile. However, Mystacidium gracile has leaves, but sheds them when stressed similar to leafless Phalaenopsis.

The Genus Kingidium was added to Phalaenopsis

DISTRIBUTION:
The Americas have five leafless genera; Campylocentrum; Dendrophylax; Harrisella; Polyrrhiza; and Vanilla. However, there may only be three genera when the DNA studies are completed on Harrisella and Polyrrhiza so I have grouped them with the appropriate genera.
Africa has at least four leafless genera: Encheiridion; Microcoelia; Solenangis; and Vanilla. Also Mystacidium gracile is seasonally leafless and T. coxii is an immigrant.
Asia has at least four leafless genera: Chiloschista; Kingidium (Phal); Taeniophyllum; and Vanilla.
Australia and the Pacific Islands have at least four leafless genera: Chiloschista; Microtatorchis; Taeniophyllum; and Vanilla.

Dendrophylax alcoa
Dendrophylax barrettiae
Dendrophylax constanzensis
Dendrophylax fawcettii
Dendrophylax filiformis
Dendrophylax funalis
Dendrophylax gracilis
Dendrophylax helorrhiza
Dendrophylax lindenii
Dendrophylax macrocarpus
Dendrophylax porrectus
Dendrophylax sallei
Dendrophylax serpentilingua
Dendrophylax varius

Taeniophyllum biocellatum
Taeniophyllum fragrans
Taeniophyllum glandulosum
Taeniophyllum grandiflorum
Taeniophyllum malianum
Taeniophyllum micranthum
Taeniophyllum montanum
Taeniophyllum obtusum
Taeniophyllum retrospiculatum
Taeniophyllum retrospiculatum
Taeniophyllum sp Papua New Guinea

Calopogon pulchellus

Campylocentrum pachyrrhizum

Vanilla barbellata

Microtatorchis

Praecoxanthus aphyllus

Microcoelia aphylla

Chiloschista extinctoriformis
Chiloschista exuperei
Chiloschista fasciata
Chiloschista glandulosa
Chiloschista godefroyana
Chiloschista guangdongensis
Chiloschista loheri
Chiloschista lunifera
Chiloschista parishii
Chiloschista phyllorhiza
Chiloschista ramifera
Chiloschista rodriguezii
Chiloschista segawae
Chiloschista sweelimii
Chiloschista taeniophyllum
Chiloschista treubii
Chiloschista trudelii
Chiloschista usneoides
Chiloschista viridiflava
Chiloschista yunnanensis

Campylocentrum

Phalaenopsis braceana