The diminutive of Bletia, a New World orchid genus whose flowers bear a superficial resemblance.
Terrestrial herbs, sympodial, with short rhizomes. Stems thickened at base into corm-like underground pseudobulbs. Leaves apical, 1?4, thin, pleated, glossy. Inflorescences terminal racemes, erect or arching. Flowers resupinate, few to several, medium sized, showy, white to pink. Sepals similar, free, forward-pointing. Petals similar to sepals, free, forward-pointing. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes embracing column, midlobe often curved under. Column long and narrow, narrowly 2-winged. Pollinia 8.
About 10 species from Tibet, China, Japan and Taiwan.
Terrestrial with large pleated glossy green leaves; flowers bright pink, in open racemes.
Source: (2005). Orchidaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
