Latin galea – helmet; andros − male; an allusion to the helmet-shaped anther cap.
Epiphytic or terrestrial herbs, sympodial, with short rhizomes. Stems cane-like or thickened into cylindrical, spindle-shaped or almost spherical pseudobulbs, furrowed, sheathed at base. Leaves lateral, 2?8, erect, narrow, pleated, deciduous. Inflorescences terminal racemes, simple or branched, arching. Flowers resupinate, few-many, medium sized to large, variously coloured. Sepals similar, free, spreading. Petals similar to sepals or shorter and wider, free. Labellum entire or obscurely 3-lobed, base joined to base of column, spurred, side lobes curved around column, midlobe large and spreading. Column short to long, clubbed. Pollinia 2, notched.
About 25 species from N, C and S America.
Epiphytes or terrestrial with slender pseudobulbs and narrow grass-like leaves; labellum spurred at base; anther with a helmet-shaped cap.
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.
