Description: Terrestrial herbs, sympodial; roots subterranean, filamentous. Stems differentiated into horizontal rhizome and erect, leafy portion.
Leaves often withered at flowering time, scattered along the stem, 2 or more per shoot, convolute.
Inflorescence racemose, >1-flowered, terminal; flowers resupinate. Dorsal sepal free, forming a hood with lateral petals. Lateral sepals free, as long as, or slightly shorter than dorsal sepal. Lateral petals free, as long as and slightly broader than dorsal sepal. Labellum free, attached at base of column, saccate at the base, with 2 calli in the sac; lamina 2-lobed, unornamented. Column lacking free filament and style; column wings absent. Column foot absent. Anther erect, parallel to the axis of the column, persistent. Pollinia 2, granular. Stigma with 2 distinct, lateral lobes. Rostellum consisting of 2 prominent lateral, parallel arms, projecting beyond anther apex.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 26 species, Africa, southern Asia, Malesia, Australia. Australia: 1 species (endemic).
Text by P. H. Weston
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Zeuxine oblonga |
|
