Malaxis Sw.

Abstract

The genus Malaxis was named in 1788 by Olof Swartz. The name was based on malaxo, Greek for “softening,” apparently referring to the soft or delicate leaves. Traditionally Malaxis has been characterized in part by the cavity basal of the lip, very short columns, erect and thought to grow “everywhere but New Zealand,” but studies of DNA suggest that Malaxis in the traditional sense includes unrelated species from different areas, and suggest that the habit and vegetative features may be more important than the floral details in determining evolutionary relationships. Still, Swartz based the genus on Malaxis spicata, of the West Indies and southeastern U.S., so, even if Malaxis in the traditional sense is diverse, most or many of the species in the Western Hemisphere may well remain in Malaxis.