EYMOLOGY: apate = deceit, fraud and Stelis = generic name. 
The name is given to emphasize the general appearance of the 
flowers resembling those of the genus Stelis, yet having a very 
different columnar structure. 
Sepala inter se libera vel plus minusve connata. Petala quam 
sepala breviore. Labellum carnosum, basi columnae adnatum, 
saepe breviter tenuiterque unguiculatum. Columna cylindrica, 
apoda vel basin breviter decurrentia; clinandrium prominens, 
vulgo 3-lobatum; stigmata sub rostello confluentia, inde singu- 
lum; anthera terminalis, incumbens; pollinia 2, apice visco parco 
connexa. 
Herbae epiphyticae vel saxicolae; caulibus caespitosis vel ex 
rhizomate ascendentibus, non pseudobulbosis; foliis singulis, 
saepe petiolatis; inflorescentiis vulgo racemosis, rare subcapita- 
tis; floribus satis parvis. 
TYPUS: Stelis hylophila Rchb.f. 
KEY TO ALLIANCES 
1. Dorsal sepal much longer than the connivent lateral sepals 
eet ee ee Ce ee es eT ee eee 1. A. glossula alliance 
la. Dorsal sepal more or less the same length as the divergent 
PARC EAL SODA 5 hs ceca Cae ne eee eS Oversees noeee ens Z 
2. Lip viewed from side triangular to replicate-triangular in 
outline; disc always with a well-defined, transverse ridge 
Nee ee Tee ere ee 2. A. crescentiicola alliance 
2a. Lip viewed from side never triangular in outline ..... 3 
3. Lip 3-lobed; lateral lobes incrassate, calliferous 
(whee eee ee eee eae a eeee ee 3. A. chamaestelis alliance 
is so =) 11 #1 cca men 4 
4. Lip wider than long ............ 4 A. hirtella alliance 
4a. Lip as long as, or longer than wide ................ 5 
5. Apical part of lip concave, excavate, thin ........... 6 
Sa. Apical part of lip convex-thickened, fleshy, never excavate 
Meee; ee euseeeek ean sere es eee 5. A. ciliaris alliance 
