ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, there are some 30 genera of epiphytic orchids, the species numbering in all about 200. They prefer the humid rain forest to the savanna, so southern Nigeria is much richer in epiphytes than the northern part of the country. There are two main types of epiphytes, those with sympodial and mono-podial growth, respectively. Epiphytes with sympodial growth have a stem with yearly lateral shoots. In epiphytes with monopodial growth there is a single, slowly growing stem without pseudobulbs. Instead, the leaves (whenever present) are nearly always thickened, and have a water-storing function. Genus Ansellia is one of the very few to have an English name: these orchids are known as 'Leopard Orchids’ because of the yellow perianth-segments with dark spots. Genus Microcoelia is one of a few apparently quite leafless genera of orchids in which the numerous, densely matted roots have taken over the role of the leaves.
