CXXXVI. ORCHIDEiE. 
5 
saprophytes; or epiphytes with short or long stems, the branches 
of which maybe swollen and fleshy (pseudobulbs), the leaves usually 
coriaceous flat, distichous or terete or rarely {Tceniophyllum) absent. 
Inflorescence axillary or terminal racemose, spicate or panicled. 
Perianth superior, of three sepals petaloid, the two lateral ones 
sometimes connate into a spur or sac (mentum). Petals 3, two 
similar, the third opposite the column very different, often lobed 
and spurred and bearing calli, processes of various shapes (the lip, 
labellum). Stamens and style united into a column opposite the 
lip, long or short, erect on the top of the ovary, often prolonged 
into a foot to which the lip is adnate. Anther x terminal or 2 
(Cypripedium) adnate to the top of the column or stalked. Pollen- 
grains cohering in 2, 4, 6, or 8 waxy or powdery masses ( pollinia ) 
attached to 1 or 2 thin, flat, or terete stalks ( caudicles ) with an 
adhesive disc below, or caudicles and disc absent. The other two 
stamens are represented by wings or arms of the column. Stigmas 
3, one forming a flat, round or triangular, often bifid beak or plate 
below the anther, the rostellum, the other two forming a viscid mass 
sunk in a hollow of the column below the rostellum or rarely pro¬ 
truding. Ovary inferior usually twisted, i-celled; ovules numer¬ 
ous. Fruit capsular, rarely baccate ( Vanilla ) elliptic, pear-shaped 
or cylindric, dehiscing often in 3 valves. Seed minute. Species 
over 5000, whole world, rare in desert regions, most abundant in 
the tropics. 
Tribes. 
Fertile anther 1. 
Pollinia waxy, 2 to S with no caudicles or 
disc, terrestrial or epiphytic with or 
without pseudobulbs 
Pollinia waxy, 2 to 4 with 1 or 2 caudicles 
and 1 to 2 discs; epiphytic or 
terrestrial ..... 
Pollinia mealy with 1 or 2 caudicles and 
1 disc; herbs terrestrial, no pseudo¬ 
bulbs . . . . . 
Pollinia mealy 2 caudicles and 2 discs, 
terrestrial . . . ■ 
Fertile anthers 2; lip saccate; terrestrial 
herbs ...... 
I. Epidendrete 
II. Vande^e 
III. NEOTTIEiE 
IV. OphrydEjE 
V. Cypripedie,® 
Tribe I. EpidendrEjE. 
I. Malaxed. Terrestrial or epiphytic. Flowers small in a terminal 
raceme. Column footless. Pollinia 2 to 4, no disc. 
Column short. 
Terrestrial, pseudobulbous; leaves broad 
herbaceous . 
Epiphytic; leaves distichous, fleshy, no 
rhizome ..... 
Column long. 
Leaves and flowers as in Oberonia but a 
long rhizome .... 
1. Microstylis 
2. Oberonia 
3. Hippeophyllum 
