地宝兰属 di bao lan shu

Authors:Authors: Xinqi Chen, Phillip J. Cribb & Stephan W. Gale

Cistella Blume; Ortmannia Opiz; Otandra Salisbury.

Herbs, terrestrial, medium-sized, leafy. Pseudobulbs subterranean, cormlike or tuberous, usually globose, few noded, borne on a short rhizome and usually forming clusters, with several thick roots at nodes. Leaves arising from basal node of pseudobulb, several, uppermost largest, contracted into a long petiole-like stalk at base, plicate; petiole-like stalk usually equitant and forming a pseudostem, articulate. Inflorescence arising from basal node of pseudobulb, terminal, racemose; peduncle erect at base, curved through 180° and drooping toward apex; rachis pendulous but becoming erect in fruit, short, usually densely several to many flowered and appearing capitate. Flowers medium-sized or small, not opening widely, not resupinate but, because peduncle pendulous at apex, lip positioned lowermost. Sepals and petals similar though petals usually slightly broader, free, not spreading; lip unlobed or obscurely 3-lobed, base usually saccate, without a distinct spur; disk usually with a callus composed of ridges or wartlike projections. Column short, with a short column foot; anther terminal, 1-locular or incompletely 2-locular, with cap; pollinia 2, usually cleft, waxy, attached to a broad stipe and a large viscidium.

About ten species: from tropical Asia, as far north as S Japan (Ryukyu Islands), to Australia and the SW Pacific islands; six species (two endemic) in China.