Polystachya neobenthamia
Introduction ''Polystachya neobenthamia'' is a species of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is terrestrial, lithophilic and grows among leaf litter and other detritus on rock faces. It is endemic to Tanzania.
Description This species produces slender, reed-like stems, which bear distichously arranged, linear leaves. The inflorescence is erect and the rachis is bent apically. The flowers have four laterally flattened pollinia.The pollinia are relatively hard.
Taxonomy It was formerly placed in a separate, monotypic genus ''Neobenthamia'' Rolfe under the name ''Neobenthamia gracilis'' Rolfe. This is however now a synonym of ''Polystachya neobenthamia'' Schltr. Under the inclusion of '' P. neobenthamia'' the genus ''Polystachya'' is a monophyletic group. This species is the sister group to ''Polystachya dendrobiiflora''.
References * Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (1999). Genera Orchidacearum 1.Oxford Univ. Press. * Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (2001). Genera Orchidacearum 2.Oxford Univ. Press. * Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. (2003). Genera Orchidacearum 3.Oxford Univ. Press* Berg Pana, H. 2005. ''Handbuch der Orchideen-Namen. Dictionary of Orchid Names. Dizionario dei nomi delle orchidee''. Ulmer, Stuttgart