Coelogyne is a genus of about 600 species, rhizomatous herbs with pendulous or creeping rhizomes and thin roots. The cylindrical to conical pseudobulbs bear stalked or sessile leaves at the apex.
Generative characteristics
This genus lacks the saccate base of the labellum, a typical characteristic which is present in the other genera in the subtribe Coelogyninae. The free lip has high lateral lobes along the basal part of the labellum (hypochile) and smooth, toothed or warty keels.
Inflorescences often show a small to very large number of showy, medium-sized to large flowers. They may arise either from the apex of the newly completed pseudobulb at the end of the growing season (as in Coelogyne fimbriata), or may precede the new growth in early spring (as in Coelogyne cristata). The typical colour range of this genus is white, through tawny brown to green, and occasionally peachy tones. All species have four pollinia.
They have often a sweet scent, attracting different kinds of pollinators, such as bees, wasps and beetles. The lectotype species is Coelogyne cristata The traditional taxonomy of the genus Coelogyne is still disputed. Coelogyne has been subdivided in 23 sections or subgenera by De Vogel (1994) and Clayton. Molecular data show that Coelogyne is paraphyletic and should be reorganised. It should include the genera Neogyna and Pholidota, and several sections should be removed, including Cyathogyne, Tomentosae, Rigidiformes, Veitchiae and Verrucosae. This new genus Coelogyne should then contain about 160 species.
Species
See List of Coelogyne species
thumb|[[Coelogyne odoardoi]]
thumb|[[Coelogyne pandurata]]
thumb|[[Coelogyne chlorophaea]]
Etymology
The generic name Coelogyne is derived from the Greek koilos meaning hollow, and gyne, meaning pistil or woman. It refers to the concave stigma. at elevations of 0–3000 m above sea level.