Greek cryptos – hidden; stylos – style; an allusion to the small column that is often hidden at the base of the labellum
Terrestrial herbs, sympodial, evergreen, rarely saprophytic. Tubers elongate, rhizomatous, fleshy, numerous. Leaves basal, 1 per shoot, rarely absent, lanceolate to ovate, entire, thin to leathery, green, sometimes purplish below, stalked. Inflorescences terminal, erect. Flowers non-resupinate, few to many, medium sized, greenish-yellow often with a reddish or purplish labellum. Sepals similar, narrow, free. Petals shorter than sepals, narrow, free. Labellum entire, oblong to almost round, base tubular and enclosing column, adorned with various calli. Column short, winged. Pollinia 4, granular.
These terrestrial orchids are occasionally grown in pots by enthusiasts without repotting for many years. Most species are moderately hardy and grow and multiply in a light well-drained compost.
About 20 species from Taiwan, SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia.
Evergreen terrestrial with flowers dominated by the large often reddish labellum; sepals and petals narrow and pale coloured.
Backhouse & Jeanes (1995)
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.