Cremastra

Cremastra is a genus of flowering plants in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). These terrestrial orchids are native to eastern and southeastern Asia, including regions of China, Japan, Korea, and the Himalayas. They are characterized by their creeping rhizomes, solitary or few-leaved stems, and racemes of small, often greenish or brownish flowers.

Cremastra orchids typically grow in shady, moist environments, such as forests and rocky slopes. The leaves are usually elliptic or lanceolate in shape. The flowers, while not particularly showy, possess intricate structures typical of orchids and rely on insects for pollination.

Several species are recognized within the genus Cremastra, each exhibiting subtle variations in morphology and distribution. These variations often involve differences in leaf shape, flower color, and the overall size of the plant.

The taxonomy of Cremastra, like many orchid genera, has been subject to revisions and debate over time. Some species previously classified within Cremastra may have been reassigned to other genera based on molecular and morphological evidence.