Greek cyrtos – a curve; stylos – style; an allusion to the curved column of members of the genus.
Terrestrial herbs, sympodial, deciduous, stoloniferous. Tubers spherical, paired at base of leaf, also produced singly at ends of stolons. Leaves basal, solitary, almost round, thin, pale- or grey-green above and below, stalkless. Inflorescences a terminal raceme, erect. Flowers resupinate, 1-several, small, mostly purplish. Sepals similar, free, dorsal slightly broader or longer than laterals. Petals slightly smaller than dorsal sepal, free. Labellum entire, oblong, margins entire or finely toothed. Column slender, arching, winged at tip. Pollinia 4, soft and mealy.
These native terrestrial orchids are occasionally grown in pots by enthusiasts. They are very hardy and grow well and multiply in a light well-drained compost that is normally changed annually.
Five species from Australia and New Zealand.
Small purplish insect-like flowers; almost round pale - to grey-green leaf held on the ground.
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.