Greek gaster – belly; cheilos – lip; an allusion to the deeply pouched labellum.
Epiphytic or rarely epilithic herbs, monopodial. Stems erect, short, simple, lacking pseudobulbs. Leaves in 2 ranks, strap-shaped or oblong, leathery. Inflorescences axillary racemes, short, stiff. Flowers resupinate, few, small to large, fleshy, crowded, fragrant, variously coloured. Sepals and petals similar, free, spreading. Labellum 3-lobed, base deeply pouched, side lobes joined to column wings, midlobe broad, forward-pointing, entire or fringed. Column very short. Pollinia 2, on a single linear stipe.
About 20 species from the Himalayas to SE Asia and Japan.
Deeply pouched labellum; short racemes of colourful showy flowers.
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.