| The large number of African orchids belonging to the group Monopodiales, the so-called ”Angraecoid Orchids“, constitute a puzzling assemblage of which the main lines of classification are still uncertain. Several well-defined minor groups can, however, be readily distinguished, the most striking of which are such genera as Cyrtorchis Schltr., Aerangis Schltr. (sensu stricto) and Tridactyle Schltr. Among the less welldefined but nevertheless reasonably natural groupings is the genus Rhipidoglossum. This genus was described by Schlechter in his comprehensive treatment and revision of the Angraecoid orchids in 1918. He separated four genera, including Rhipidoglossum, from the remainder on account of the presence of a foot to the column. This character, which... |
