Galearis

Rafinesque

Herb. Raf., 71. 1833.

Common names: Showy orchis
Etymology: Latin galea, helmet
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 550. Mentioned on page 496.

Herbs, perennial, scapose, rather succulent. Roots not tuberously thickened, fascicled, fleshy. Stems bractless proximal to inflorescence, conspicuously angled. Leaves [1–]2, basal, spreading, conduplicate, gradually narrowed to sheathing petioles; blade oblance-ovate to obovate, elliptic, or suborbiculate, apex rounded-obtuse. Inflorescences terminal, solitary, racemose spikes; bracts large, foliaceous. Flowers 2–15, resupinate, showy; lip protruding downward from hood formed by sepals and enclosing petals, base produced into spur; pollinaria 2; pollinia 2; viscidia within single 2-lobed bursicle; stigma concave, hidden behind bursicle. Fruits capsules, erect.

Distribution

e North America, 1 in e Asia.

Discussion

Species 2 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.