Neuwiedia is a genus of primitive orchids (family Orchidaceae), comprising 9 terrestrial species. The type species is Neuwiedia veratrifolia Blume 1834 The genus is distributed in shaded, damp areas from Malaysia, Borneo, Java to the Philippines, New guinea and southwest of the Pacific. Like the genus Apostasia of the same subfamily, this genus is noted for having 3 fertile stamens instead of only one as in the case of most orchids. Because of this primitive characteristics, the genus was considered by some as not being true orchids. The genus was named by Carl Ludwig von Blume in honor of Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied (1782-1859). These primitive orchids are hairy, tall herbs without rhizomes. They grow long, plicate leaves. They produce an unbranched, erect, terminal inflorescence bearing usually white or yellow, nodding flowers. Species
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