Zeuxine

Lindley

Orchid. Scelet., 9. 1826.

Etymology: Greek zeuxis, a yoking or joining, referring to partial union of lip and column, or possibly to fusion of pollinia
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26. Treatment on page 518. Mentioned on page 498.

Herbs, terrestrial, sympodial. Roots fleshy, villous. Stems succulent, glabrous. Leaves cauline, sessile [petiolate], not articulate; blade convolute, conduplicate, often membranous. Inflorescences terminal, dense spikes [racemes]; flowers spirally arranged; floral bracts mostly longer than flowers, membranaceous, scarious. Flowers few–many, resupinate, white with yellow lip, small, scarcely opening; sepals subequal; dorsal sepal erect, connivent with petals, forming hood over column; lateral sepals distinct and free, enclosing base of lip; lip pandurate, broadly rounded, margins entire, apex slightly broadened to winglike; column short; anther abaxial, 2-chambered, membranous; pollinia 2, sometimes 2-lobed, pyriform, sectile, caudicles present or absent; stigmas 2, on either side of column, convex; rostellum large, deeply divided. Fruits capsules, erect, ovoid [subglobose].

Distribution

Introduced; tropical and subtropical regions, Africa, Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands, 1 species has escaped in parts of the Neotropics.

Discussion

Species 30 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

... more about "Zeuxine"
James D. Ackerman +
Lindley +
tropical and subtropical regions +, Africa +, Asia +, Australia +, Pacific Islands +  and 1 species has escaped in parts of the Neotropics. +
Greek zeuxis, a yoking or joining, referring to partial union of lip and column, or possibly to fusion of pollinia +
Orchid. Scelet., +
Zeuxine +
Orchidaceae (tribe Cranichideae) subtribe Goodyerinae +