Pecteilis susannae (L.) Rafin and Pecteilis sagarikii Seidenf.

There are two native species of Pecteilis orchids in Thailand, one is Pecteilis susannae (L.) Raf. 1837 and Pecteilis sagarikii Seidenf. 1973. The genus Pecteilis is closely related to Habenaria which consists of larger number of species. Both genera are classified in subfamily Orchidoideae, a subfamily in between the primitive and epidendroid orchid genera. They are all ground orchids with bulbs that need a resting stage during dry seasons.

Pecteilis susannae (L.) Raf. 1837 is the largest of the two species in Thailand. Sepals are usually white, pale green or yellowish. Flowers are large and fragrant. Long tubular structure is on the back of the lip. This structure may evolve together with night moth like the evolution of the similar structure found in Angreacum and related genera in Madagascar and Africa. The white color of the flower indicates night time pollination as colors are useless to attract any insects.

Like two tiny ribbin strips, both petals are very small and the lateral sepals are mistakenly interpreted as the petals. The tongue like structure on the lip may be the landing platform for night moths.

Pecteilis sagarikii Seidenf. 1973 is named after Prof. Rapee Sagarik, the founder of orchid lover communities in Thailand. This species has much shorter areal part than Pecteillis susannae, but being a half in size, the flowers are not at that proportion. Unlike Pecteilis susannae, its leaves are just on the ground. Only the flower inflorescence rise up to 15-20 cm. long. The beak-like lip acquires a spectrum of yellow color. Its lip also has the tubular structure. The role of yellow color lip is not clear. Some night blooming flowers, for example, some species in the genus Gardenia have yellow flower as well. Yellow color may be striking under the moon light. The flower is slightly fragrant. Usually slight fragrance for human is more than enough for moths.