Greek eu – well; lophos − plume; an allusion to the prominent crests on the labellum of many species.
Terrestrial or rarely epiphytic or epilithic herbs, sympodial, with tubers, fleshy roots or stem-like or thickened pseudobulbs. Leaves 2 to several, large, thin or fleshy, pleated, sometimes absent. Inflorescences lateral racemes, simple or branched, erect. Flowers resupinate, few-many, small to large, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, spreading or curved backwards. Petals similar to sepals or larger, free. Labellum entire or 3-lobed, side lobes erect, midlobe curved, spurred at base, crested or warty. Column long or short, winged, with or without a foot. Pollinia 2, ovoid.
About 250 species, mostly from tropical Africa, but also most other tropical regions of the world.
Robust terrestrials with large pleated leaves; labellum often with prominent crests.
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.