THE ORCHIDS OF HAWAII 351 



The present meager representation of this large, distinctive, 

 and highly specialized family by only three hmnble species 

 probably points to one of two hypotheses. These may be the 

 vestiges of a much larger primitive orchid flora that has been 

 wiped out by profound and long-continued ecologic changes in 

 the environment. This view would coincide with evidence from 

 other plant and animal groups in the Hawaiian biota. On the 

 other hand, Hawaii's orchids may be mere fortuitous stragglers, 

 that through some unknown migration agency were carried to 

 this isolated island world, and during a long time interval have 

 evolved as endemic species. It is of some significance that none 

 of the three genera represented are endemic, but occur in many 

 other parts of the world. 



The genus Anoectochilus has a single endemic representative 

 in Hawaii. The generic name, from the Greek, refers to the 

 open or deflected lip of the flower. The genus comprises about 

 eight species and extends from southern India across Mai ya 

 and northeastward across Polynesia. Hawaii is the northern- 

 most Pacific limit of this group. These quaint little orchids are 

 terrestrial in habitat. They are characterized by a creeping, 

 leafy rhizome. 



Our one species, A. Sandwichensis Lindl., has a decumbent 

 rhizome 1.5 to 3.0 dm. long. This is round in cross-section, 

 succulent, purple-red in color, rooting freely at the nodes, and 

 leafy throughout. The four to six beautiful leaves form a basal 

 cluster or rosette, and constitute the chief beauty of this little 

 orchid. They are rich velvety dark green in color, with a lovely 

 iridescent gloss when fresh. This delicate sheen rapidly dis- 

 appears when the plant or leaf is plucked. The leaves are ovate 

 or oblong, 4 to 9 cm. in length, and 2 to 5 cm. in breadth, on 

 petioles of 1 to 2.5 cm. The petioles expand at the base into 

 a loose saccate sheath. The blade is membranaceous in texture, 

 and the veins form a delicate reticulate pattern against the rich 

 velvety body of the leaf. It is of interest to note that several 

 species of Anoectochilus are cultivated for their handsome 

 metallic-veined foliage; none of this genus has ornamental 

 flowers. One species, A. regalis of Java, has exquisite leaves 



