Flora of New Zealand Series

Generic name conserved; type sp.: S. spiralis.

Fls ∞ in ± spirally twisted spike; floral bracts = or > ovary. Ovary and per. ± glandular-pubescent; per. ± horizontal-tubular, dorsal sepal uppermost; lateral sepals subsimilar, not connate; petals ± similar, in part adnate to dorsal sepal. Labellum of about equal length, sessile or shortly clawed, concave and embracing base of column, distally spreading and crenate to crisped; calli 2, lateral, near base. Column short, us. flanked by 2 small wings; anther dorsal, often overtopped by rostellum, pollinia 2 per cell, pollen granular; stigma broad; rostellum us. long, remaining as 2 tall processes after its central long-oval viscidium is detached. Plants terrestrial, glab. except for infl.; roots clustered, us. ± tuberous. Lvs several, mostly basal; stem with persistent sheathing bracts Spp. estimated at 50 to 300, widely dispersed through temperate zones. The N.Z. sp. widespread in Australia and Asia.

Fig. 32. SPIRANTHES. S. sinensis. Lettering as in fig. 20, p. 103. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X2Q]