Orchids of Madagascar

View on map: Madagascar,

Orchids from the island of the lemurs - a biodiversity hotspot

Madagascar is best known for its remarkable fauna, including the famous lemurs. It is also home to almost 1,000 orchid species in 57 genera, many of which are as endangered as the lemurs. Research at Kew on these orchids is ongoing but has already resulted in a checklist and a field guide.

Key papers published since 2006:

• Hermans, J. & Cribb, P.J. 2007. Cynorkis from Madagascar. Orchid Review 115: 248-251.
• Cribb, P.J., Hermans, J. & Roberts, D. 2007. Erasanthe (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Vandeae, Aerangidinae), a new endemic orchid genus from Madagascar. Adansonia 29: 27-30.
• Fischer, G.A., Gravendeel, B., Sieder, A., Andriantiana, J., Heiselmayer, P., Cribb, P.J., Smidt, E., Samuel, R. & Kieh, M. 2007. Evolution in resupination of Malagasy species of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 45: 358-376.
• Hermans, J. & C, Du Puy, D., Cribb, P.J. & Bosser, J. 2007. Orchids of Madagascar. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
• Cribb, P.J. & Roberts, D.L. 2008. A new Habenaria from Madagascar. Orchid Review 116: 195-199.
• Cribb, P.J. & J. Hermans. 2009. Field guide to the orchids of Madagascar. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.