Greek leptotes − delicacy; an allusion to the delicate leaves of most species.
Epiphytic herbs, small, sympodial, with creeping rhizomes. Stems cylindrical, cane-like, sheathed at base. Leaves apical, solitary, fleshy, terete, erect. Inflorescences terminal racemes, open, erect or arching. Flowers resupinate, 1-few, medium sized, white, yellow or pink. Sepals and petals similar, free, spreading. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes clawed and embracing column, midlobe larger. Column short, erect, fleshy, sometimes 2-winged at tip. Pollinia 6, 4 large and 2 small, waxy.
4 species from S America.
Dwarf plants with fleshy terete leaves; pollinia 6.
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.
