Description: Terrestrial saprophytic herbs, sympodial; shoots growing from a fleshy tuber [or branching rhizome]; roots absent.
Leaves scale-like.
Inflorescence racemose, usually few–many-flowered, apparently terminal; flowers nodding [or not resupinate]. Sepals free, similar. Lateral petals free, slightly shorter and broader than sepals. Labellum free, attached at base of column; lamina not lobed, with a basal, backward-pointing spur, bearing longitudinal papillose keels from base to tip. Column lacking free filament and style; column wings apparently absent. Column foot absent. Anther incumbent [or erect], cap-like. Pollinia 2, granular. Stigma divided down the centre into 2 distinct lobes [or entire]. Rostellum not prominent, ventral.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 3 species, Europe, Asia, Malesia, Australia. Australia: 1 species (native).
Text by P. H. Weston
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Epipogium roseum |
|
