Herbs, terrestrial. Roots 3–10, from bases of newer corms, spongy. Stems produced in summer, solitary, subapical, opposite leaf, arising from ovate, angular corms. Leaves produced in autumn, persisting over winter, withering in spring, solitary; blade broad, ovate, pleated. Inflorescences lax racemes. Flowers resupinate, bilaterally asymmetric; lip with long, free basal spur; column slightly arcuate; anther terminal, deciduous but retained on pollinaria for short time; pollinia 4, in 2 pairs, yellow, attached to elastic caudicle 1 mm with basal viscidium; stigma entire; rostellum a 2-fid flap enclosing viscidium. Fruits capsules, pendent, ovoid. Seeds 0.5–0.6 mm.

Distribution

Temperate regions, 1 in e North America, 1 in the Himalayas, 1 in Japan.

Discussion

Species 3 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Catling, P. M. and V. R. Catling. 1990. Anther cap retention in Tipularia discolor. Lindleyana 6: 113–116.

Snow, A. A. and D. F. Whigham. 1989. Costs of flower and fruit production in Tipularia discolor (Orchidaceae). Ecology 70: 1286–1293.

Stoutamire, W. P. 1978. Pollination of Tipularia discolor, an orchid with modified symmetry. Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 47: 413–415.

Whigham, D. F. and M. McWethy. 1980. Studies on the pollination ecology of Tipularia discolor (Orchidaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 67: 550–555.

Lower Taxa

Tipularia discolor