This genus is made up of 5 species found in the West Indies, that have spurred flowers and leafless plants that have roots that carry the chloroplasts nessesary for photosynthesis therefore precluding the need of leaves. One of the few new world vandanaceous plants they are commonly called ghost orchids and are closely related to the American genus Polyrrhiza found in Florida. General Culture for the genus Dendrophylax;
Bright light, Dappled sun
Warm, Moist humid conditions
Tree fern mount
Water while roots are growing, less water when dormant
Fertilize often while roots are growing, less when dormant but use a bloom buster to ensure flowering
Dendrophylax Species List
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids by Alec Pridgeon. Published by the Timber Press
The Manual Of Cultivated Orchid Species By Bechtel, Cribb and Launert, Published by The MIT Press
Orchids of Jamaica
BY A. Gloudon and C. Tobisch
Published by The Press, University of the West Indies
Species names that are synonyms of correct species names are denoted with a ~
~funalis Benth & Hk. f. -
~funalis Hort. ex Ames & Nash. 1916 -