Greek ion – violet; opsis − appearance; the flowers bear a superficial resemblance to violets (Viola species).
Epiphytic or rarely terrestrial herbs, sympodial, with short or long rhizomes. Stems thickened into small pseudobulbs, tufted. Leaves basal and/or apical, 1-4, leathery, narrow, rigid, overlapping at base. Inflorescences terminal racemes or panicles, erect to pendent. Flowers non-resupinate, few-many, small, showy, white to purplish. Sepals similar, dorsal free, laterals fused at base forming a pouch. Petals similar to dorsal sepal, free. Labellum 2-lobed, much larger than sepals and petals, fused to base of column, 2-ridged at base. Column short, erect. Pollinia 2, waxy.
About 10 species from tropical and sub-tropical N, C and S America.
The prominent bilobed labellum which is much larger than the other perianth segments.
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.
