Herbs, terrestrial, sympodial. Roots fasciculate, fleshy, densely villous. Stems erect, rhizomatous. Leaves 1–2, basal; blade not articulate, long-petiolate. Inflorescences terminal, few- to many-flowered racemes, erect; peduncle slender, bracteate. Flowers resupinate; sepals spreading, distinct; lateral sepals longer than dorsal, attached along column foot forming spur; petals appressed to dorsal sepal, basally decurrent on column; lip arcuately recurved, clawed, shorter than sepals, membranous; column erect, short, slender; column foot partially adnate to ovary, elongate; anther persistent; pollinia 2, clavate, mealy; stigmas distinct; rostellum subulate to linear, pointed, rigid; viscidium oblong. Fruits capsules, ellipsoid-cyclindric.

Distribution

Subtropical and tropical regions, North America, Mexico, West Indies.

Discussion

Species 12 (1 in the flora).

Eltroplectris has been treated as Stenorrhynchos Richard ex Sprengel sect. Eltroplectris (P. Burns-Balogh 1982); others have treated Eltroplectris as distinct (e.g., L. A. Garay 1980[1982]; D. L. Szlachetko 1995).

Selected References

Balogh, P. 1982. Generic redefinition in subtribe Spiranthinae (Orchidaceae). Amer. J. Bot. 69: 1119–1132.

Szlachetko, D. L. 1995. Systema orchidalium. Fragm. Florist. Geobot., suppl. 3: 1–152.

Lower Taxa

Eltroplectris calcarata