Herbs, terrestrial. Roots spreading, slender, fleshy. Stems reduced to short, nearly ovoid pseudobulbs. Leaves petiolate, articulate, from multiple, concentric, basal sheaths; blade pleated. Inflorescences lateral from within sheaths, racemes, erect, loose. Flowers resupinate; columns fleshy, arcuate 90o, prominently winged, foot prominent [absent]; anthers terminal; pollinaria with 2 pairs of pollinia, stipe, and viscidium.

Distribution

Tropical and subtropical regions, North America, Central America, South America.

Discussion

Species 30 or more (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Brown, P. M. 2000d. Govenia floridana (Orchidaceae), a new species endemic to southern Florida, U.S.A. N. Amer. Native Orchid J. 6: 231–238.

Correll, D. S. 1947. Revision of the genus Govenia. Lloydia 10: 218–278.

Fawcett, W. and A. B. Rendle. 1910–1936. Flora of Jamaica…. 5 vols. London. Vol. 1, p. 113.

Greenwood, E. W. 1982b. Govenia in Mexico, an introductory note. Orquidea (Mexico City) 8: 114–120.

Greenwood, E. W. 1991. The Florida Govenia. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 69: 867–869.

Lower Taxa

Govenia floridana