Terrestrial herbs with ellipsoid or
fusiform tubers. Stems leafy. Leaves often numerous and overlapping. Bracts leaf-like, longer than the flowers at least at base of inflorescence. Flowers usually mauve or purple, often
with darker spots, less often cream-coloured or greenish-brown.
Sepals free. Petals usually adnate at base to side of column.
Basal part of lip boat-shaped, spurred or saccate; upper
part flattened, usually projecting forwards. Worldwide: 25 species in tropical and South Africa and Asia. Zimbabwe: 8 taxa. |
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