Brassia

Herbs, epiphytic, ± cespitose. Stems either reduced and covered with sheathing bracts or elongate with prominent, single-noded pseudobulb. Leaves 1(–2) per sympodium, from apex of pseudobulb, often with 1–3 short foliaceous bracts subtending single-noded pseudobulb; blade conduplicate, oblong-lanceolate, dorsiventrally flattened, margins entire. Inflorescences lateral, racemes; bracts narrowly triangular. Flowers: sepals and petals distinct and free, long, attenuate-caudate; lip unlobed; callus prominent, 2-lamellate; column without appendages, footless; stigmatic cavity ± round; rostellum not prominent. Fruits capsules.

Distribution

Subtropics and tropics, Western Hemisphere.

Discussion

Species 35 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Kooser, R. G. and G. C. Kennedy. 1979. The genus Brassia R. Brown section Eubrassia Lindley. Orchid Digest 43: 164–172.

Williams, N. H. 1972. A reconsideration of Ada and the glumaceous brassias. Brittonia 24: 93–110.

Lower Taxa

Brassia caudata