Paraphalaenopsis

Four species

The genus Paraphalaenopsis (A.D.Hawkes 1963) is a member of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae).

It consists of only four species :

• Paraphalaenopsis denevei : Rat-tailed Phalaenopsis
• Paraphalaenopsis labukensis : Rat-tailed Phalaenopsis
• Paraphalaenopsis laycockii : Rat-tailed Phalaenopsis
• Paraphalaenopsis serpentilingua

There is one natural hybrid : Paraphalaenopsis × thorntonii (P. denevei × P. serpentilingua).

These species are endemic to Borneo. They are morphologically similar to Phalaenopsis and were a long time considered as species of this genus. Their flowers are similar, but the leaves of Paraphalaenopsis are cylindrical and resemble the leaves of the Vandas. These are epiphytes that bloom in winter and early spring.