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Galeandra: Galeandra dives is from northern South America.

Galeandra (gal-ee-AN-dra)  A genus of 25 species of epiphytic or terrestrial orchids from the American tropics and described by Lindley in 1830, the name referring to the helmet-shaped anther cap.

galeatus –a, -um (gal-ee-AY-tus) Helmet-shaped; galeate.

Galeottia (gal-ee-OHT-tee-ah) A genus of 11 showy Neotropical epiphytic species related to Zygopetalum, formerly known as Mendoncella. Originally described by Roberts in 1845, but changed to Mendoncella in 1963, then revived by Christenson in 1988 as a valid genus.

gamete (GAM-eet) One of the sex-cells, either sperm or egg.

gamopetalus (gam-oh-PET-a-lus) Having a corolla of one piece; petals united.

gamophyllous (gam-oh-FILL-us) Having the leaves united.

gamosepalous (gam-oh-SEP-a-lus) Having the calyx of one piece; sepals united.

Gastrochilus (gas-troh-KYE-lus)  A genus of 20 species of Asiatic epiphytes from southern India to the Philippines, related to Haraella. Described by David Don in 1825, the name alludes to the belly-shaped lip of the flowers in this genus. Gastrochilus has often been included in an overly broad Saccolabium.
 

Gastrorchis: Gastrorchis francoisii is from Madagascar.

Gastrorchis (gas-TRORK-is)  A genus of six species of semiterrestrial orchids from Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands, related to and sometimes included in Phaius. First proposed by du Petit-Thouars in 1809, the name refers to the basally inflated or saccate lip of the flowers. Sometimes seen spelled Gastorchis.

gelidus, -a, -um (JEL-i-dus) From icy-cold regions.

Gelrite (JELL-ryte) One of several synthetic agars used to gel media used in micropropagation.

genome (JEE-nohm) The set of chromosomes containing all the inherited traits.

Genyorchis (jen-EE-ore-kiss) The six epiphytic orchids in this genus are found in Tropical Africa. Schlechter established the genus in 1901. He coined the generic name from two Greek words meaning "jaw" and "orchid," as the flower in side view resembles an open jaw.

Geodorum (jee-oh-DORE-um) The 10 terrestrial species of this genus are widespread in Southeast Asia, from India to Australia to the southwest Pacific Islands. Jackson described the genus in 1810 using the Greek words meaning "ground" and "gift" to denote the inflorescence that curves toward the ground.

germ cells (jurm selz) Cell types that give to or are the reproductive cells (e.g., pollen or egg).

geminatus, -a, -um (jem-i-NAY-tus) In pairs; twin; geminate.

gemma (JEM-a) A bud; particularly a bud or bud-like structure by which a plant propagates.

gemmule (JEM-yewl) A little bud or bud-like structure.

gene A portion of a chromosome that is a physical unit concerned with the transmission and development of a hereditary character(s)

genera (JEN-e-ra) Plural of genus.

generation (jen-e-RAY-shun) Period from fertilization to death; the epoch from one 1-celled stage of a plant to the next 1-celled stage.

generic (je-NER-ik) Of or pertaining to a genus.

genetics (je-NET-iks) The study and science of heredity and variation; (singular), pertaining to genesis or origin.

geniculatus, -a, -um (je-nik-yew-LAY-tus) Bent abruptly, like a knee; geniculate.

genotype (JEE-noh-type) The fundamental hereditary makeup of an organism.

genus (JEE-nus), pl. genera (JEN-e-ra) A subdivision of a family consisting of one or more species that show similar characteristics and have an assumed common ancestry.

German peat moss (jur-muhn peet moss) A coarse, chunky peat moss used in potting media to retain moisture without significantly decreasing aeration.

germination (jur-min-ay-shun) The development of an embryo into a plantlet or individual plant.

gibbosus, -a, -um (gib-BOH-sus) Protuberant or swollen on one side; gibbous.

giganteus, -a, -um (jye-gan-TEE-us) Greatly exceeding its congeners in size and stature; extremely large; gigantic.

gigas (JYE-gas) A giant, in allusion to size, either of plant or flower.

glabratus, -a, -um (glab-RAY-tus) Nearly glabrous, or becoming glabrous with maturity or age; smooth; glabrate. 

glabrous (GLAY-brus) Smooth, having a surface without hairs or projections.

gladiatus, -a, -um (glad-ee-AY-tus) Having sword-shaped foliage; swordlike; gladiate.

gland (gland) Properly, a secreting part or prominence of appendage, but often used in the sense of gland-like.

glandular (gland-U-lahr) Bearing glands or of the nature of a gland; pertaining to or resembling a gland.

glanduliferous (gland-U-lih-FUR-us) Having glands.

glaucescent (glaw-sess-ent) Being glaucous.

glaucophyllus, -a, -um (glaw-koh-FILL-us) Having grayish or bluish-green leaves; having a bloom on the leaves.
 

glaucus: Rhyncholaelia digbyana has glaucus foliage.

glaucus, -a, -um (GLAW-kus) Covered with a bluish-gray, bluish-green, or whitish bloom; glaucous.

globosus, -a, -um (gloh-BOH-sus) Nearly spherical; round; globose.

glochid (gloh-kid) A barbed hair; a bristle.

glomeratus, -a, -um (gloh-mer-RAY-tus) In dense or compact clusters; glomerate.

glomerule (GLOM-e-rule) An inflorescence consisting of a cyme (a cluster of flowers opening from the center outward) growing at the end of its own stalk.

gloriosus, -a, -um (glow-ri-OH-sus) Renowned, illustrious, very beautiful; superb, glorious.

glumaceus, -a, -um (gloo-MAY-see-us) Chaffy in texture or resembling the awns of wheat; having glumes; glumaceous.

glume (gloom) A small chaff-like bract; in particular, one of the two empty bracts at the base of the grass spikelet.

glutinosus, -a, -um (gloo-tin-OH-sus) Covered with a sticky exudation; glutinous.

Gomesa (go-MEJ-ah) A genus of 12 epiphytic species from Brazil, allied to Oncidium. It was established in 1815 by Robert Brown to commemorate Dr. Bernardino Antonio Gomes, a Portuguese naval physician and botanist, author of a book on the medicinal plants of Brazil.

Gongora (gon-GOR-ah)  A genus of 25 species confined to the American tropics, the flowers of which are extremely complicated; related to Stanhopea and Coryanthes, it was described in 1794 by Ruiz and Pavon, and dedicated Don Antonio Cabellero y Gongora, Bishop of Cordova, Spain.
 

Goodyera: Goodyera pubescens is an American jewel orchid.

Goodyera (good-YER-ah) A genus of 25 terrestrial species distributed throughout the world and noteworthy for the variegated leaves of many of its species. It was described in 1813 by Robert Brown in dedication to John Goodyer (1592–1664), early English botanist, who assisted Johnson in his edition of Gerard's Herbal.

Govenia (go-VEEN-ee-a) The genus contains around 25 terrestrial species ranging from Mexico south to Bolivia. Loddiges described the genus in 1831, naming it in honor of J.J. Goven, an English naturalist who collected plants in Assam.

gracilis, -e (GRAS-ill-is) Slender and graceful.

graminifolius, -a, -um (gram-i-ni-FOH-lee-us) Having grasslike leaves.

Grammangis (gram-MANG-giss) A genus of two species related to Grammatophyllum and Cymbidium. Found in Madagascar and Java, it was described by Reichenbach in 1860, the meaning of the name being obscure.

Grammatophyllum (gram-mat-oh-FILL-um)  A genus of 12 species of epiphytic orchids from Malaya, Indonesia or the Philippines. Related to Cymbidium and noted for the large size of the plants, it was described in 1825 by Blume, the name possibly referring to the markings on the flowers or the prominent parallel leaf-veins.

grandifolius, -a, -um (grand-i-FOH-lee-us) Having leaves larger than those of its cogeners.

grandiflorus, -a, -um (grand-i-FLOOR-us) Having flowers large in comparison with others of the genus.

grandis, -e (GRAND-is) Big, great, showy, imposing; grand.

granulosus, -a, -um (gran-yew-LOH-sus) Composed of or appearing as if covered by minute grains; granulose.

Graphorkis (graf-ORE-kiss) Madagascar and the Mascarenes are the home of the five epiphytic species in this genus. Aubert du Petit Thouars established the genus in 1809 and used the Greek words for "writing" and "orchid" to coin the name, but his reasoning is unclear, as there are no markings on the flowers.

gratissimus, -a, -um (grat-ISS-i-mus) Very agreeable; pleasing.
 

graveolens: Bulbophyllum graveolens smells like rotten meat.

graveolens (grav-ee-OH-lenz) Strong smelling; heavy-scented; rank.

green pod A horticultural expression for seed capsules that are harvested prior to their dehiscence, allowing surface sterilization of the fruit and sowing of still immature embryos.

gregarious (gri-gair-ee-uhs) Growing together in clusters or colonies; synchronous flowering in orchids, such as some Dendrobium and Thrixspermum.

grex (greks) A flock or group, applied collectively to the offspring of a given cross.

Grisebach, August Heinrich Rudolf (1814–1879) Prominent German taxonomist who worked on the plants of the West Indies.

Grobya (grow-BEE-a)  There are three epiphytic species in this Brazilian genus. Lindley described the genus in 1835, naming it in honor of Lord Grey of Groby, England, a patron of horticulture and orchid grower.

grossus, -a, -um (GROH-sus) Very large.
 

Guarianthe: Guarianthe skinerii is the national flower of Costa Rica.

Guarianthe (gwar-ee-AN-thee) A small genus of species from Central America and northern South America formerly included in Cattleya.

guatemalensis, -e (gwat-i-ma-LEN-sis) A native of Guatemala.

Guillaumin, André (1885–1974) French botanist who wrote numerous orchid publications and co-authored, with F. Gagnepain, the Orchidaceae for the Flore Générale d'Indochine (1932–1934)

guttatus, -a, -um (gut-TAY-tus) Spotted; speckled with small dots; guttate.

Gymnadenia (jim-na-DEN-ee-ah) A small genus of tuberous terrestrials from Europe and Temperate Asia, allied to Habenaria. It was erected by Robert Brown in 1813, the name derived from the Greek for "naked" and "gland," referring to the sticky disc of the pollinia, which are free on both sides of the rostellum.

gynoecium (jye-NEE-see-um) The female or pistil-bearing part of the flower. See androecium.

gynandrous (jye-NAN-drus) With the stamens borne on the pistil and united in one organ, as in the orchids.

gynostemium (jye-noh-STEM-ee-um) See column