# Cryptostylis

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Species of orchid

Tongue orchids Cryptostylis erecta Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Orchidoideae Tribe: Diurideae Subtribe: Cryptostylidinae Genus: Cryptostylis R.Br. Synonyms[1] Chlorosa Blume Zosterostylis Blume

***Cryptostylis***, commonly known as **tongue orchids**, is a [genus](/source/Genus) of [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant) from the [orchid](/source/Orchid) [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)). Tongue orchids are [terrestrial](/source/Terrestrial_plant) [herbs](/source/Herbaceous_plant) with one to a few stalked leaves at the base of the flowering stem, or leafless. One to a few dull coloured flowers are borne on an erect flowering stem. The most conspicuous part of the flower is the [labellum](/source/Labellum_(botany)), compared to the much reduced [sepals](/source/Sepal) and [petals](/source/Petal). At least some species are [pollinated](/source/Pollinator) by wasps when they attempt to mate with the flower. There are about twenty five species found in [South Asia](/source/South_Asia), [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia) and the [South Pacific](/source/Pacific).

## Description

Orchids in the [genus](/source/Genus) *Cryptostylis* are terrestrial, [perennial](/source/Perennial_plant) herbs with a thick, branching underground [rhizome](/source/Rhizome) with vertical shoots forming at [nodes](/source/Plant_stem). The plant has thick, fleshy roots but lacks a [tuber](/source/Tuber). There are one to a few erect leaves, each with a distinct [petiole](/source/Petiole_(botany)) and often purple on the lower surface, although *[C. hunteriana](/source/Cryptostylis_hunteriana)* is [saprophytic](/source/Saprotrophic_nutrition) and leafless. New leaves are produced each year after flowering but each leaf has a life of several years.[2][3]

The [inflorescence](/source/Inflorescence) is a [raceme](/source/Raceme) with from one to a few [non-resupinate](/source/Resupination#Orchidaceae) [flowers](/source/Flower). The sepals and petals (apart from the labellum) are narrow, free from and similar to each other. The most conspicuous part of the flower is the labellum which is attached to the base of the [column](/source/Column_(botany)) and closely surrounds it. The fruit is a thin-walled [capsule](/source/Capsule_(botany)) containing a large number of light coloured seeds.[2][3]

## Taxonomy and naming

*Cryptostylis* was first formally described in 1810 by the prolific Scottish botanist, [Robert Brown](/source/Robert_Brown_(botanist%2C_born_1773)) and the description was published in his book, *[Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen](/source/Prodromus_Florae_Novae_Hollandiae_et_Insulae_Van_Diemen)*. Brown described three species in the same publication (*C. longifolia*, *[C. ovata](/source/Cryptostylis_ovata)* and *[C. erecta](/source/Cryptostylis_erecta)*) but did not nominate a [type](/source/Type_(biology)) species. (*Cryptostylis longifolia* is an [illegitimate name](/source/Nomen_illegitimum) and the species is now known as *[C. subulata](/source/Cryptostylis_subulata)*.)[4][5]

The name *Cryptostylis* is derived from the [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) words *kryptos* meaning "hidden" and *stylos* meaning "pillar" or "column", referring to the column of these orchids which is partly hidden by the labellum.[2]

Molecular study of the DNA of tongue orchids shows the genus lies within the tribe [Diurideae](/source/Diurideae) within the orchid family, having previously been considered part of the [Cranichideae](/source/Cranichideae). The [genera](/source/Genus) *Cryptostylis* and *[Coilochilus](/source/Coilochilus)* (endemic to [New Caledonia](/source/New_Caledonia)) make up the subtribe Cryptostylidinae.[6]

## Distribution and habitat

The genus comprises around twenty five species of terrestrial orchid distributed from [India](/source/India), [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka), [Thailand](/source/Thailand), [Taiwan](/source/Taiwan), the [Philippines](/source/Philippines), and [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia) through [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia) to [Australia](/source/Australia) and [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), as well as [Samoa](/source/Samoa), New Caledonia and [Vanuatu](/source/Vanuatu). Five species are found in Australia, of which three are [endemic](/source/Endemism). Tongue orchids occur from [temperate](/source/Temperate) to [tropical](/source/Tropical) regions and in well-drained to swampy sites. *[Cryptostylis arachnites](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_arachnites&action=edit&redlink=1)* has the widest distribution and grows in [rainforest](/source/Rainforest), often in mountainous areas.[2][3]

## Ecology

All Australian species are pollinated by the [ichneumon](/source/Ichneumonidae) wasp known as the orchid dupe wasp (*[Lissopimpla excelsa](/source/Lissopimpla_excelsa)*). The male wasp mistakes the flower parts for a female wasp and attempts to copulate with it. Although the different species can occur together, they appear to inhibit cross-fertilisation and no hybrids are found in nature.[7] This discovery was made by Australian naturalist [Edith Coleman](/source/Edith_Coleman) in 1928, and the term coined was "[pseudocopulation](/source/Pseudocopulation)". The mimicking of flowers to resemble female wasp parts has since been recorded in other orchid genera but only in *Cryptostylis* has the insect been observed ejecting [seminal fluid](/source/Semen) containing [sperm](/source/Sperm) cells. Coleman suggested that the males are more strongly attracted to the orchid flowers than to female wasps of the same species.[2][8][9] The flowers of *Cryptostylis* orchids and female wasp body parts are very similar in colour when viewed under a [hymenopteran](/source/Hymenoptera) visual system, despite looking different to human eyes. Although the colours that ichneumon wasps see are unknown, bees and wasps have similar perception with green, blue and ultraviolet wavelengths.[10]

The *Cryptostylis* orchids are unusual in that several species are pollinated by the same wasp species; other orchids which [mimic](/source/Mimicry) insects are often species-specific. The flowers have no smell detectable to humans, but have been shown to have an odour which attracts the orchid dupe wasp. Furthermore, gas chromatography and electrophysiology show that the single active compound for pollinator attraction is found in different species of *Cryptostylis*.[11]

## Species

Species currently accepted as of July 2018:[1]

- *[Cryptostylis acutata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_acutata&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - Java, Borneo, Sumatra

- *[Cryptostylis apiculata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_apiculata&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis arachnites](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_arachnites&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Blume) Hassk. in C.L.Blume - Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Cambodia, Assam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Andaman Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu

- *[Cryptostylis arfakensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_arfakensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis carinata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_carinata&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis clemensii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_clemensii&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Ames & C.Schweinf.) J.J.Sm. - Sabah

- *[Cryptostylis concava](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_concava&action=edit&redlink=1)* Schltr. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis conspicua](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_conspicua&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - Thailand, Malaysia, Java, Sumatra

- *[Cryptostylis erecta](/source/Cryptostylis_erecta)* R.Br. - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

- *[Cryptostylis filiformis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_filiformis&action=edit&redlink=1)* Blume - Java

- *[Cryptostylis gracilis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_gracilis&action=edit&redlink=1)* Schltr. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis hamadryas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_hamadryas&action=edit&redlink=1)* Schltr. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis hunteriana](/source/Cryptostylis_hunteriana)* Nicholls - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

- *[Cryptostylis javanica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_javanica&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - Java

- *[Cryptostylis lancilabris](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_lancilabris&action=edit&redlink=1)* Schltr. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis leptochila](/source/Cryptostylis_leptochila)* F.Muell. ex Benth. - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania

- *[Cryptostylis ligulata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_ligulata&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis maculata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_maculata&action=edit&redlink=1)* (J.J.Sm.) J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis ovata](/source/Cryptostylis_ovata)* R.Br. - Western Australia

- *[Cryptostylis sigmoidea](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_sigmoidea&action=edit&redlink=1)* J.J.Sm. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis sororia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_sororia&action=edit&redlink=1)* Schltr. - New Guinea

- *[Cryptostylis subulata](/source/Cryptostylis_subulata)* (Labill.) Rchb.f. - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, New Zealand North Island

- *[Cryptostylis taiwaniana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cryptostylis_taiwaniana&action=edit&redlink=1)* Masam. - Taiwan, Philippine

## See also

- [List of Orchidaceae genera](/source/List_of_Orchidaceae_genera)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WCSP_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WCSP_1-1) ["*Cryptostylis*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201130000112/http://wcsp.science.kew.org/namedetail.do?name_id=52151). *[World Checklist of Selected Plant Families](/source/World_Checklist_of_Selected_Plant_Families) (WCSP)*. [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). Archived from [the original](http://wcsp.science.kew.org/namedetail.do?name_id=52151) on November 30, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Pridgeon_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Pridgeon_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Pridgeon_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Pridgeon_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Pridgeon_2-4) Pridgeon, Alec M.; Cribb, P.J.; Chase, M.A.; Rasmussen, F., eds. (2001). [*Genera Orchidacearum 2*](https://books.google.com/books?id=jNFvwlGdTEcC&dq=cryptostylis&pg=PA118). Oxford University Press. pp. 118–25. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-19-850710-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-850710-0). Retrieved 4 July 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RBGS_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RBGS_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RBGS_3-2) Weston, Peter H. ["Genus *Cryptostylis*"](http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&showsyn=&dist=&constat=&lvl=gn&name=Cryptostylis). Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 4 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-APNI_4-0)** ["*Cryptostylis*"](https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/509788). APNI. Retrieved 4 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-R.Br._5-0)** Brown, Robert (1810). [*Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/21871#page/185/mode/1up). London. p. 317. Retrieved 4 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kores PJ, Molvray M, Weston PH, Hopper SD, Brown AP, Cameron KM, Chase MW (2001). "A phylogenetic analysis of Diurideae (Orchidaceae) based on plastid DNA sequence data". *American Journal of Botany*. **88** (10): 1903–14. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/3558366](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3558366). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [3558366](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3558366). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [21669623](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21669623).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Robert L. Dressler (1993). [*Phylogeny and classification of the orchid family*](https://books.google.com/books?id=4_xL5qOVa-sC&dq=cryptostylis&pg=PA134). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 134. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-521-45058-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-521-45058-6). Retrieved 22 November 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ANU_8-0)** Peakall, Rod. ["Pollination by Sexual Deception in Australian Terrestrial Orchids"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190913180218/http://biology-assets.anu.edu.au/hosted_sites/orchid_pollination/). Australian National University. Archived from [the original](http://biology-assets.anu.edu.au/hosted_sites/orchid_pollination/) on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nature_9-0)** Ledford, Heidi (2007). ["*The flower of seduction*"](https://doi.org/10.1038%2F445816a). *Nature*. **445** (7130): 816–817. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/445816a](https://doi.org/10.1038%2F445816a). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [17314951](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17314951). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [833763](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:833763).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** A. C. Gaskett; M. E. Herberstein (2010). "Colour mimicry and sexual deception by Tongue orchids (*Cryptostylis*)". *Naturwissenschaften*. **97** (1): 97–102. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2010NW.....97...97G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010NW.....97...97G). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s00114-009-0611-0](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00114-009-0611-0). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [19798479](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19798479). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [1729573](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:1729573).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Schiestl, Florian P; Peakall, Rod; Mant, Jim (2004). ["Chemical communication in the sexually deceptive orchid genus Cryptostylis"](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8339.2003.00249.x). *Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society*. **144** (2): 199–205. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1095-8339.2003.00249.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1095-8339.2003.00249.x).

## External links

- Media related to [Cryptostylis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cryptostylis) at Wikimedia Commons

Taxon identifiers Cryptostylis Wikidata: Q1955406 Wikispecies: Cryptostylis APNI: 88936 BOLD: 412880 CoL: 8VWLG eFloraSA: Cryptostylis EoL: 30015 FloraBase: 21265 FNA: 108586 FoAO2: Cryptostylis FoC: 108586 GBIF: 2806928 GRIN: 3143 iNaturalist: 321108 IPNI: 29158-1 IRMNG: 1056459 NCBI: 78738 NZOR: 2bd5a284-b4bd-4b53-9930-e7781f6557ed Open Tree of Life: 1073162 POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:29158-1 Tropicos: 40017639 VicFlora: 3cb9e1d8-a23e-434c-a520-1619920c0e95 WFO: wfo-4000009937

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cryptostylis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptostylis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptostylis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.