Taxonomy of the Orchidaceae
The taxonomy of the orchid family has evolved slowly during the last 250 years, starting with Carolus Linnaeus who in 1753 recognized eight genera. De Jussieu recognized the Orchidaceae as a separate family in 1789. Olof Swartz recognized 25 genera in 1800. Louis Claude Richard provided us in 1817 with the descriptive terminology of the orchids. The next step was taken in 1830-1840 by John Lindley, who recognised four subfamilies. He is generally recognized as the father of orchid taxonomy. The next important step was taken by George Bentham in 1881 with a new classification, recognizing subtribes for the first time. The next great contributors were Pfitzer (1887), Schlechter (1926), Mansfeld (1937), Dressler and Dodson (1960), Garay (1960, 1972), Vermeulen (1966), again Dressler (1981) and Burns-Balogh and Funk (1986).
History
The following taxonomy follows largely the classification system of Robert Louis Dressler, an orchid specialist and adjunct curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History. This classification, published in the book The Orchids: Natural History and Classification, is widely accepted by botanists and growers. The initial scheme of 1981 has been modified in 1986, twice in 1990. and then again in 1993. This is the most comprehensive classification at the moment. But it relies heavily on morphology and a few key characters, such as anther configuration and pollinarium structure.
According to morphological cladistics and research with rbcL nucleotide sequences, the orchid family, as well as the clades within the family, are a monophyletic group. There is a great similarity with the traditional taxonomy, except for the Vandoideae, but on lower levels, some matters are still unresolved. Few tribes, as listed here below, are monophyletic. Cladistic and molecular methods give us a firmer basis, but the classification is still an ongoing issue. There is even no strong support for the interelationships of the subfamilies. Furthermore, about 150 species and even new genera are still being discovered each year.
New developments in this taxonomy occur regularly:
- 1998: Publication of "A phylogenetic analysis of the Orchidaceae: evidence from rbcL nucleotide sequences" by Kenneth M. Cameron in the American Journal of Botany. 1999. In this study, he supports the five primary monophyletic clades (indicated as subfamilies by Dressler) and states that there is no evidence supporting the previously recognized subfamilies Spiranthoideae, Neottioideae, or Vandoideae. [1]
- 2003: the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group publishes its update of the classification for the orders and families of flowering plants. In this APG II-system, the family Orchidaceae is included in the order Asparagales. [2]
- 2005: Publication by Chase et al. of a new phylogenetic classification based on recent DNA research [3]
Taxonomy
The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is subdivided in several subfamilies, and then in tribes, subtribes, alliances and then genera.
According to Dressler, there are 5 subfamilies, 22 tribes, 70 subtribes, about 850 genera and about 20,000 species in this family.
The following subfamilies are recognized:
- Subfamily Apostasioideae: monophyletic - the most primitive orchids: 3 fertile anthers or two fertile anthers and a filamentous staminode.
- Subfamily Cypripedioideae: monophyletic - 2 fertile diandrous anthers, a shield-shaped staminode and a saccate (= pouch-like) lip.
- Subfamily Orchidoideae: single, fertile monandrous, basitonic anther.
- (Subfamily Spiranthoideae): nested within a more broadly defined Orchidoideae
- Subfamily Epidendroideae: includes almost 80% of the orchid species; monophyletic; orchids with an incumbent to suberect ( = ascending towards the edges) anther.
- (Subfamily Higher Epidendroideae (formerly Vandoideae): specialised clade within a more broadly defined Epidendroideae
- Subfamily Vanilloideae: an ancient clade now recognized as a distinct subfamily. But, from a molecular point of view, it is rather a sister to subfamily Epidendroideae + subfamily Orchidoideae. This subfamily is a branch at the basal dichotomy of the monandrous orchids.
As the Genera Orchidacearum (Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F.; Oxford Univ. Press.) will only be completed in 2006-2007, and changes in taxonomy of orchids are so frequent, the following taxonomy still follows largely the system of Robert Louis Dressler.
Cladistically the interrelationships of these subfamilies can be shown as follows:
2 genera and about 16 species of very primitive orchids:
-
- Apostasia Blume, included Adactylus Rolfe and Mesodactylis Wall.
- Neuwiedia Blume
6 genera with about 115 species, mostly terrestrials or lithophytes:
Tribe Cypripedieae
Subtribe Cypripediinae
-
- Cypripedium Lindl., included Arietinum Beck, Calceolaria Heist. ex Fabr., Calceolus Nieuwl., Ciripedium Zumagl., Criogenes Salisb., Fissipes Small, Hypodema Rchb., Sacodon Raf., Schizopedium Salisb., Stimegas Raf.
Subtribe Paphiopedilinae
-
- Paphiopedilum Pfitzer, included Cordula Raf. and Menephora Raf.
Subtribe Mexipediinae
-
- Mexipedium V.A.Albert & M.W.Chase
Subtribe Phragmipediinae
-
- Phragmipedium Rolfe, included Phragmopedilum Pfitzer, Uropedium Lindl.
Subtribe Selenipediinae
-
- Selenipedium Rchb.f.
Others
-
- xPhragmipaphium Hort.
This is the largest subfamily, comprising more than 10,000 species in about 90 to 100 genera. Most are tropical epiphytes (usually with pseudobulbs), but some are terrestrials and even a few myco-heterotrophs. All show a unique development of the single anther: it is incumbent forming a right angle with the column axis or pointed backward in many genera. Most have hard pollinia, i.e. a mass of waxy pollen or of coherent pollen grains; pollinia with caudicle and viscidium or without; stigma entire or 3-lobed; rostellum present; 1-locular ovary; leaves: distichous or spiraling
Over 500 species.
Subtribe Arethusinae
-
- Arethusa L.
- x Elearethusa
- x Elecalthusa
- Eleorchis F.Maek.
- x Elepogon
Subtribe Bletiinae
-
- Ancistrochilus Rolfe
- Anthogonium Wall. ex Lindl.
- Cephalantheropsis Guillaumin
- Eriodes Rolfe, included Neotainiopsis Bennet & Raizada, Tainiopsis Schltr.
- Hancockia Rolfe
- Hexalectris Raf.
- Ipsea Lindl.
- Mischobulbum Schltr., included Mischobulbon Schltr. (orth. var.)
- Nephelaphyllum Blume
- Pachystoma Blume, included Apaturia Lindl., Pachychilus Blume and Pachystylis Blume
- Alliance Arundina
- Arundina Rich.
- Alliance Calopogon
- Calopogon R.Br., included Cathea Salisb., Helleborine Kuntze
- Alliance Calanthe
- Acanthephippium Blume, included Acanthophippium Blume (orth. var.)
- Bletia Ruiz & Pav., included Anthogyas Raf., Bletiana Raf., Crybe Lindl., Gyas Salisb., Regnellia Barb. Rodr., Thiebautia Colla
- Bletilla Rchb.f., included Jimensia Raf., Polytoma Lour. ex Gomes
- Calanthe R.Br., included Alismorkis Thouars, Amblyglottis Blume, Aulostylis Schltr., Calanthidum Pfitzer, Centrosia A.Rich., Centrosis Thouars, Cytheris Lindl., Ghiesbreghtia A.Rich. & Galeotti, Limatodes Blume, Paracalanthe Kudô, Preptanthe Rchb.f., Styloglossum Breda, Sylvalismis Thouars
- Phaius Lour., included Cyanorchis Thouars, Gastorchis Thouars, Gastrorchis Schltr., Hecabe Raf., Pachyne Salisb., Pesomeria Lindl., Tankervillia Link
- Spathoglottis Blume, included Paxtonia Lindl.
- Alliance Coelia
- Coelia Lindl., included Bothriochilus Lem.
- Alliance Chysis
- Chysis Lindl., included Thorvaldsenia Liebm.
- Alliance Plocoglottis
- Plocoglottis Blume
- Alliance Tainia
- Tainia Blume, included Ania Lindl., Ascotainia Ridl., Mitopetalum Blume
Subtribe Sobraliinae
-
- Sobralia Ruiz & Pav., included Cyathoglottis Poepp. & Endl., Fregea Rchb.f., Lindsayella Ames & C.Schweinf.
Subtribe Thuniinae
-
- Thunia Rchb.f.
Tribe Calypsoeae
-
- Aplectrum (Nutt.) Torr.
- Calypso, included Calypsodium Link, Cytherea Salisb., Norna Wahlenb., Orchidium Sw.
- Tipularia Nutt., included Anthericlis Raf., Plecturus Raf.
-
- Cryptarrhena R.Br., included Orchidofunckia A.Rich. & Galeotti
Tribe Coelogyneae
Over 400 species
Subtribe Adrorhizinae
-
- Adrorhizon Hook.f.
Subtribe Coelogyninae
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- Coelogyne Lindl., included Bolborchis Lindl., Hologyne Pfitzer, Ptychogyne Pfitzer
- Dendrochilum Blume, included Acoridium Nees & Meyen, Platyclinis Benth.
- Pleione D.Don
Cosmopolitan; largest tribe of this subfamily, with over 8,000 species
Subtribe Glomerinae
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- Agrostophyllum Blume
- Earina Lindl.
Glomera Blume, included Ischnocentrum Schltr.,Sepalosiphon Schltr.
Subtribe Laeliinae: over 1400 species, mostly tropical American epiphytes, in 43 genera. It contains more than 25% (136) of all hybrid genera.
- Alliance Isochilus
- Hexisea Lindl., included Costaricaea Schltr., Euothonaea Rchb.f.,
- Isochilus R.Br.
- Alliance Cattleya
- Brassavola R.Br., included Eudisanthema Neck. ex Post & Kuntze, Lysimnia Raf., Tulexis Raf.
- Broughtonia R.Br., included Cattleyopsis Lem., Laeliopsis Lindl. & Paxton
- Cattleya Lindl., included Maelenia Dumort.
- Encyclia Hook., included Amblostoma Scheidw., Dinema Lindl., Hormidium (Lindl.) Heynh., Sulpitia Raf.
- Laelia Lindl., included Amalia Rchb.
- Myrmecophila Rolfe
- Rhyncholaelia Schltr.
- Schomburgkia Lindl.
- Sophronitis Lindl., included Lophoglottis Raf., Sophronia Lindl.
- Guarianthe Dressler & W.E. Higgins (2003)
- Alliance Barkeria
- Barkeria Knowles & Westc.
- Caularthron Raf., included Diacrium (Lindl.) Benth.
- Alliance Epidendrum
- Epidendrum Jacq., included Amphiglottis Salisb., Anacheilium Hoffmanns., Anocheil' Hoffmanns. ex Rchb., Auliza Small, Coilostylis Raf., Didothion Raf.,, Diothonea Lindl., Dothilophis Raf., Doxosma Raf., Epicladium Small, Epidanthus L.O.Williams, Epidendropsis Garay & Dunst., Exophya Raf., Hemiscleria Lindl., Kalopternix Garay & Dunst., Lanium (Lindl.) Benth., Larnandra Raf., Microepidendrum Brieger (nom. inval.), Minicolumna Brieger (nom. inval.), Nanodes Lindl., Neolehmannia Kraenzl., Neowilliamsia Garay, Nyctosma Raf., Phadrosanthus Neck. ex Raf., Physinga Lindl., Pleuranthium Benth., Prosthechea Knowles & Westc., Pseudepidendrum Rchb.f., Seraphyta Fisch. & C.A.Mey., Spathiger Small, Stenoglossum Kunth, Tritelandra Raf.
- Alliance Leptotes
- Leptotes Lindl.
- Alliance Neocogniauxia
- Neocogniauxia Schltr.
- Dilomilis Raf.
- Tomzanonia Nir
- Alliance hybrids
- Brassocattleya hort.
- Brassoepidendrum hort.
- Brassolaeliocattleya hort.
- Cattleytonia hort.
- Epicattleya hort.
- Epilaeliocattleya hort.
- Hawkinsara hort.
- Laeliocatonia hort.
- Laeliocattleya hort. ex Rolfe
- Otaara hort.
- Potinara hort.
- Schombocattleya hort.
- Sophrocattleya hort.
- Sophrolaelia hort.
- Sophrolaeliocattleya hort.
Subtribe Meiracyllinae
-
- Meiracyllium Rchb.f.
These species have single leaves, non-pseudobulbous ramicauls, articulated ovary, deciduous from the pedicel.
-
- Genera: Acianthera, Acostaea, Anathallis, Barbosella, Barbrodria, Brachionidium, Chamelophyton, Condylago, Draconanthes, Dracula, Dresslerella, Dryadella, Echinosepala, Frondaria, Jostia, Lepanthes, Lepanthopsis, Luerella, Masdevallia, Myoxanthus, Octomeria, Ophidion, Pabstiella, Phloeophila, Platystele, Pleurothallis, Porroglossum, Restrepia, Restrepiella, Salpistele, Scaphosepalum, Specklinia, Stelis, Teagueia, Trichosalpinx, Trisetella, Zootrophion
Tribe Epipogieae
Tribe Gastrodieae
- Subtribe Gastrodiinae
- Subtribe Nervilliinae
- Subtribe Rhizanthellinae (sometimes in Diurideae)
Tribe Malaxideae
Over 900 species
Tribe Neottieae
About 100 species
- Subtribe Bulbophyllinae (according to Garay & al. 1994)
- Genus: Acrochaene Lindl., Bulbophyllum Thouars, Chaseella Summerhays, Cirrhopetalum Lindl., Codonosiphon Schl., Drymoda Lindl., Epicrianthes Blume, Ferruminaria Garay, Hamer & Siegerist, Hapalochilus (Schlechter) Senghas, Ione Lindl., Mastigion Garay, Hamer & Siegerist , Monomeria Lindl., Monosepalum Schle, Osyricera Blume, Pedilochilus Schl., Rhytionanthos Garay, Hamer & Siegerist, Saccoglossum Schl., Sunipia Lindl., Synarmosepalum Garay, Hamer & Siegerist, Tapeinoglossum Schl., Trias Lindl., Vesicisepalum Garay, Hamer & Siegerist
- Subtribe Dendrobiinae
- Subtribe Eriinae
- Alliance Eria
- Alliance Ceratostylis
- Subtribe Podochilinae
- Subtribe Thelasiinae
Tribe Tropidieae
Formerly placed in the subfamily Spiranthoideae
Subfamily Higher Epidendroideae
Formerly called Vandoideae, this is the second largest subfamily with over 300 genera in more than 5,000 species. They are mostly epiphytes, but include some terrestrials and myco-heterotrophs, all occurring in most tropical areas. The main stem grows in a single direction. Many of the species develop pseudobulbs (i.e. a bulge at the base of a stem), that are normally shorter and sturdier than those in the epidendroids. The striking characteristics of the vandoids are a cellular pollinium stalk (= stipe), superposed pollinia and the unique development of the incumbent anther, that bends early in development.
About 1,800 species in 100 to 130 genera. Species are either terrestrial or epiphytic, and range throughout global tropical regions. All species have, as a unique feature, a sympodial growth habit and two pollinia.
- Subtribe Acriopsidinae: less than 50 species.
- Subtribe Catasetinae: about 150 species; epiphytes occurring in the Western Hemisphere.
- Subtribe Cyrtopodiinae: over 400 species, usually terrestrial; Asia, Africa, and tropical America.
- Alliance Bromheadia
- Alliance Eulophia
- Alliance Cyrtopodium
- Alliance Cymbidium
- Alliance Dipodium
- Alliance hybrids
- Subtribe Oncidiinae: Largest subtribe with nearly 1,000 species within about 56 to 78 genera, found in tropical America, the Caribbean and Florida. Most are epiphytes, but a few are terrestrials..They usually have short and stout pseudobulbs.
- Alliance Oncidium: largest alliance; includes the majority of genera in cultivation.
- Alliance Trichocentrum
- Alliance Comparettia
- Alliance Trichophilia
- Alliance Lockhartia
- Alliance hybrids: over 107 hybrid genera.
- Genera: Aliceara, Bakerara, Beallara, Brassidium, Burrageara, Colmanara, Degarmoara, Howeara, Maclellanara, Miltassia, Miltonidium, Odontobrassia, Odontocidium, Odontonia, Rodricidium, Trichocidium, Vuylstekeara, Wilsonara
- Subtribe Pachyphyllinae: less than 50 species.
- Subtribe Thecostelinae: less than 50 species.
Over 1,700 species in more than 130 genera; occurs in tropical Asia, Pacific Islands, tropical America, Australia, and Africa.
- Subtribe Aerangidinae: about 300 species in 36 genera; tropical Africa and Madagascar.
- Genera: Aerangis, Ancistrorhynchus, Angraecopsis, Beclardia, Bolusiella, Chamaeangis, Cribbia, Cyrtorchis, Diaphananthe, Eurychone, Listrostachys, Microcoelia, Microterangis, Mystacidium, Podangis, Rangaeris, Rhipidoglossum, Solenangis, Sphyrarhynchus, Tridactyle, Ypsilopus
- Subtribe Aeridinae (formerly Sarcanthinae): more than 1,000 species in 103 genera, including about 200 hybrid species; occurs mostly in Asia with a few in Africa.
- Alliance Phalaenopsis
- Alliance Vanda
- Alliance Trichoglottis
- Hybrids
- Genera: Aeridovanda, Aranda, Ascocenda, Ascofinetia, Asconopsis, Christieara, Doritaenopsis, Opsistylis, Perreiraara, Renanstylis, Renantanda, Renanthopsis, Rhynchovanda, Vandaenopsis, Vascostylis
- Subtribe Angraecinae: about 400 species in 19 genera, tropical Africa and Madagascar.
- Alliance Angraecum
- Genera: Aeranthes, Angraecum, Bonniera, Calyptrochilum, Cryptopus, Jumellea, Lemurella, Lemurorchis, Neobathiea, Oeonia, Oeoniella, Sobennikoffia
- Alliance Campylocentrum
- Subtribe Polystachyinae (formerly part of the Epidendreae): about 220 species in four genera: Hederorkis,Imerinaea,.Neobenthamia and Polystachya They all show four pollinia. The lip often has mealy hairs called pseudopollen on the upper surface.
70 to 80 genera with about 1,000 species; most grow in tropical America as terrestrials or epiphytes, a few are myco-heterotrophs. Most show pseudobulbs, but a few have reedlike stems or thick underground stems. Blooms have four pollinia.
- Subtribe Bifrenariinae: thin and pleated leaves.
- Subtribe Corallorhizinae: all myco-heterotrophs
- Subtribe Dichaeinae
- Subtribe Lycastinae: thin and pleated leaves.
- Subtribe Maxillariinae: largest subtribe with nearly half of the tribe species. The leathery leaves are conduplicate, i.e. folded together lengthwise.
- Subtribe: Ornithocephalinae
- Subtribe Stanhopeinae: about 200 species; epiphytes found in the Western Hemisphere.
- Genera: Acineta, Braemia, Cirrhaea, Coryanthes, Embreea, Gongora, Horichia, Houlletia, Jennyella, Kegeliella, Lacaena, Lueddemannia, Paphinia, Polycycnis, Schlimia, Sievekingia, Soterosanthus, Stanhopea, Trevoria, Vasqueziella
- Subtribe Coeliopsidinae
- Subtribe Telipogoninae
- Subtribe Zygopetilinae: about 150 species. Most exhibited hybrids are to be found in this subtribe.
- Alliance Warrea
- Alliance Zygopetalum
- Alliance Bollea
- Alliance Vargasiella
- Alliance hybrids: of the 43 hybrids in this tribe, only Angulocaste is displayed frequently.
- Genera: Aitkenara, Bateostylis, Bollopetalum, Chondrobollea, Cochella, Cochlecaste, Cochlenia, Cochlepetalum, Downsara, Durutyara, Hamelwellsara, Huntleanthes, Kanzerara, Keferanthes, Lancebirkara, Otocolax, Otonisia, Palmerara, Rotorara, Zygocaste, Zygolum, Zygonisia, Zygostylis
Tribe Cranichideae
The former subfamily Spiranthoideae is now embedded in the clade Orchidoideae as the tribe Cranichideae (Dressler, 1993). It includes 95 genera and about 1100 species. Species of this polyphyletic tribe occur in all continents (except Antarctica), but mainly in North and South America and tropical Asia. All subtribes are monophyletic.
- Subtribe Cranichidinae: occurring in the Neotropics
- Genera: Altensteinia, Baskervilla, Cranichis, Exalaria, Fuertesiella, Myrosmodes, Nothostele, Ponthieva, Pseudocentrum, Pseudocranichis, Pterichis, Solenocentrum
- Subtribe Prescottiinae: occurs in the Neotropics
- Subtribe Galeottiellinae
- Subtribe Goodyerinae: 37 genera, about 630 species in Africa, the Americas and Asia.
- Genera: Aenhenrya, Anoectochilus, Aspidogyne, Chamaegastrodia, Cheirostylis, Cystorchis, Danhatchia, Dassinia, Erythrodes, Eurycentrum, Gonatostylis, Goodyera, Halleorchis, Herpysma, Hetaeria, Hylophila, Kreodanthus, Kuhlhasseltia, Lepidogyne, Lageophila, Ludisia, Macodes, Meliorchis (extinct), Microchilus, Myrmechis, Odontochilus, Orchipedum, Papuaea, Platylepis, Platythelys, Rhamphorhynchus, Rhomboda, Stephanothelys, Vrydagzynea, Zeuxine
- Subtribe Manniellinae: tropical Africa
- Subtribe Pterostylidinae
- Subtribe Spiranthinae: about 30 genera; largely terrestrial; widespread, but absent in sub-Saharan Africa; fascicled roots, dorsal erect anther, inconspicuous staminodia, resupinate flowers.
- Genera: Aracamunia, Aulosepalum, Beloglottis, Brachystele, Buchtienia, Coccineorchis, Cotylolabium, Cybebus, Degranvillea, Deiregyne, Dichromanthus, Discyphus, Eltroplectris, Eurystyles, Funkiella, Hapalorchis, Helonoma, Kionophyton, Lankesterella, Lyroglossa, Mesadenella, Mesadenus, Microthelys, Odontorrhynchus, Pelexia, Physogyne, Pseudogoodyera, Pteroglossa, Sacoila, Sarcoglottis, Sauroglossum, Schiedeella, Skeptrostachys, Spiranthes, Stalkya, Svenkoeltzia, Thelyschista, Veyretia, Wallnoeferia
- Subtribe Stenorrhynchidinae
- Subtribe Cyclopogoninae
- Subtribe Pachyplectroninae: endemic to New Caledonia
Tribe Diseae
Tribe Diurideae
About 550 species in 39 genera; mainly Australasia.
- Subtribe Caladeniinae
- Genera: Adenochilus, Aporostylis, Caladenia, Cyanicula, Elythranthera, Ericksonella, Eriochilus, Glossodia, Leptoceras, Pheladenia, Praecoxanthus
- Subtribe Chloraeinae: From South America and New Caledonia (Megastylis)
- Subtribe Cryptostylidinae
- Subtribe Diuridinae
- Subtribe Drakaeinae
- Subtribe Megastylidinae
- Subtribe Prasophyllinae
- Subtribe Pterostylidinae
- Subtribe Thelymitrinae
Tribe Orchideae
This is the largest tribe, containing more than 1,700 species.
- Subtribe Orchidinae
- Genera: Aceratorchis, Amerorchis, Amitostigma, Anacamptis, Androcorys, Barlia, Bartholina, Benthamia, Bonatea, Brachycorythis, Centrostigma, Chamorchis, Chondradenia, Comperia, Cynorchis, Dactylorhiza, Diphylax, Diplomeris, Dracomonticola, Galearis, Gennaria, Gymnadenia, Habenaria, Hemipilia, Herminium, Himantoglossum, Holothrix, Megalorchis, Neobolusia, Neotinea, Neottianthe, Oligophyton, Ophrys, Orchis, Pecteilis, Peristylus, Physoceras, Platanthera, Platycoryne, Ponerorchis, Porolabium, Pseudorchis, Roeperocharis, Schizochilus, Serapias, Smithorchis, Stenoglottis, Steveniella, Symphyosepalum, Thulinia, Traunsteinera, Tylostigma, Veyretella
Tribe Pogoniinae
Tribe Vanilleae
Not assigned
These two tribes are not currently assigned to a specific subfamily:
Tribe Triphoreae: A primitive tribe consisting of three genera and twenty species. Possibly belongs to the Epidendrum subfamily.
Tribe Wullschlaegelieae: only one genus with two species.
References
- Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (1999). Genera Orchidacearum 1 - Apostasioideae and Cypripedioideae. Oxford Univ. Press.
- Rasmussen, F.N.; Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., & Chase, M.A. eds. (2001). Genera Orchidacearum 2 - Orchidoideae (Part 1). Oxford Univ. Press.
- Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (2003). Genera Orchidacearum 3 - Orchidoideae (Part 2), Vanilloideae. Oxford Univ. Press.
- Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (2006). Genera Orchidacearum 4 - Epidendroideae (Part 1). Oxford Univ. Press.
- Dressler, Robert L. 1981. The Orchids: Natural History and Classification. Harvard University Press ISBN 0-674-87525-7 -- It is the best popular scientific account of the orchids, their biology, evolution, and classification.
- Dressler, Robert L. 1993. Phylogeny and classification of the orchid family. Dioscorides Press, Portland, OR. 314 p.
- CHASE, M. W., J. V. FREUDENSTEIN, AND K. M. CAMERON. 2001. DNA data and Orchidaceae systematics: A new phylogenetic classification.
- Chase, M. W. 2005. Classification of Orchidaceae in the age of DNA data. Curtis's Bot. Mag. 22(1): 2-7.
- Chase, M. W., Hanson, L., Albert, V. A., Whitten, W. M., and Williams, N. H. 2005. Life history evolution and genome size in subtribe Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae) Ann. Bot. 95(1): 191-199
- A phylogenetic analysis of the Orchidaceae, evidence from rbcL nucleotide sequences
- History of the taxonomy of orchids
- Molecular phylogenetics and evolution of Orchidinae and selected Habenariinae
- Orchid Tree: a phylogeny of epiphytes (mostly) on the Tree of Life
- DNA data and Orchidaceae Systematics: A new Phylogenetic Classification by Mark W. Chase, Kenneth M.Cameron, Russell L. Barrett, John V. Freudenstein
External links