Galeola
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| Galeola | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Galeola septentrionalis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Vanilloideae |
| Tribe: | Vanilleae |
| Genus: | Galeola Lour.[1] |
| Species | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Galeola is a genus of orchids in the family Orchidaceae belonging to the subfamily Vanilloideae.[1][2][3]
All species in this genus are myco-heterotrophic, i.e. they are parasitic upon fungi. The genus is spread throughout southeast Asia (from India to China to New Guinea) as well as Madagascar and Comoros.[4]
Galeola is of biological interest because of its exclusive myco-heterotrophic nature and its seeds. The seeds are the biggest orchid seeds in the world. They are winged, which is also extraordinary for an orchid.
