Cymbilabia
Cymbilabia
Cymbilabia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Orchidaceae family. Established in 2020, it was created to address the paraphyletic nature of the genus Vandopsis. Species within Cymbilabia are found from the Himalayas to China and northern Indo-China.
Key Facts
- ›Cymbilabia is a genus of orchids within the Orchidaceae family.
- ›The genus was formally established in 2020.
- ›Its creation was due to the discovery that the genus Vandopsis was paraphyletic.
- ›Species are distributed across the Himalayas, China (Yunnan), and northern Indo-China.
- ›Three species are currently recognized: C. shanica, C. sourioudongii, and C. undulata.
About Cymbilabia
Overview
Cymbilabia is a genus of flowering plants recognized within the Orchidaceae family. The genus was formally established in 2020, a taxonomic decision driven by the discovery that the genus Vandopsis, as previously defined, was paraphyletic. The inclusion of certain species, such as Cymbilabia undulata, necessitated the creation of new genera to ensure monophyletic groupings.
Distribution and Species
The natural distribution of Cymbilabia species spans a significant geographical area, originating from the Himalayan region. Their range extends eastward into China, specifically encompassing the western and southern parts of Yunnan province, and further into northern Indo-China. As of January 2023, the recognized species within the genus include Cymbilabia shanica, Cymbilabia sourioudongii, and Cymbilabia undulata.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cymbilabia?
Cymbilabia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It was established as a distinct genus in 2020.
When was the genus Cymbilabia established?
The genus Cymbilabia was established in 2020. This was a result of taxonomic studies that identified issues with the circumscription of the related genus Vandopsis.
Where are Cymbilabia orchids found?
Species within the Cymbilabia genus are native to a broad geographic area. This region extends from the Himalayas eastward to China, specifically in western and southern Yunnan, and into northern Indo-China.
How many species are in the genus Cymbilabia?
As of January 2023, three species are accepted within the genus Cymbilabia. These are Cymbilabia shanica, Cymbilabia sourioudongii, and Cymbilabia undulata.
Related Orchid species
Cleisostomopsis
Cleisostomopsis is a genus of flowering plants within the Orchidaceae family. It is native to a broad region encompassing the Indian Subcontinent, extending to Southeastern China and Indo-China. The genus is characterized by its diverse species, including C. eberhardtii, C. elytrigera, C. filiformis, and C. roseus.

Grammatophyllum
Grammatophyllum is a genus of 13 orchid species known for their large size and distinctive yellow-green to olive-green, waxy flowers marked with dark purplish-red. These epiphytic orchids are native to dense rainforests spanning from Indo-China to the Southwest Pacific islands. The genus includes the "giant orchid" (Grammatophyllum speciosum), recognized as the largest orchid species globally.
Cremastra
Cremastra is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It encompasses four recognized species, predominantly found in East Asia and Southeast Asia, including regions like China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the Himalayas, and the Russian Far East. These orchids are distinguished by their botanical classification within the Orchidaceae family.