Platythelys

Garay

Bradea 2: 196. 1977.

Etymology: Greek platy, broad, and thely(s) , woman, alluding to the broad, flat rostellum
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 517. Mentioned on page 497.

Herbs, terrestrial. Roots few, from nodes, villous. Stems elongate, terminal shoots ascending. Leaves cauline, petiolate, not articulate. Inflorescences terminal, racemes, pedunculate. Flowers resupinate, erect to somewhat spreading, small; sepals subsimilar, distinct and free, margins entire; petals connivent with sepals; lip 2-parted, fleshy, base spurred, ventricose, hemispheric, concave, margins notched, apex ± spreading to arcuate, rough; column subsessile, cuneate; stigmas 2, approximate, horizontal; rostellum flat, elliptic to suborbiculate, broad, apex notched to 2-denticulate, generally bursting; viscidium small; anther erect; pollinia sectile, attached to short caudicles; ovary short-pedicellate. Fruits capsules, ellipsoid to nearly cylindric.

Distribution

Subtropics and tropics, North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Species 9 (1 in the flora).

... more about "Platythelys"
James D. Ackerman +
Subtropics and tropics +, North America +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +  and South America. +
Greek platy, broad, and thely(s) , woman, alluding to the broad, flat rostellum +
garay1977a +
Platythelys +
Orchidaceae (tribe Cranichideae) subtribe Goodyerinae +