Greek encyclein – to encircle; an allusion to the labellum side lobes which enclose the column.
Epiphytic or epilithic herbs, sympodial, with creeping rhizomes. Stems thickened into ovoid or pearshaped pseudobulbs, rarely slender. Leaves apical, 1-4, fleshy to leathery, stalkless or stalked, basal sheathing leaves often also present. Inflorescences terminal racemes or panicles, erect or pendent. Flowers sometimes resupinate, 1-many, small to large, variously coloured. Sepals and petals similar, free, spreading or curved backwards. Labellum entire or 3-lobed, free or partially joined to column, base often enclosing column. Column long, cylindrical or 3-angled, often winged. Pollinia 4, waxy.
About 150 species from Mexico, the West Indies, C and S America.
Often pear-shaped pseudobulbs; base of labellum enclosing column.
Dressler & Pollard (1976), Withner (1998).
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.