Medium sized epiphyte. Pseudobulbs ovoid or pear-shaped, to 6 cm long, compressed. Leaves 2 or 3, strap-like, to 35 cm long, to 3 cm wide. Flowers many, to 2.5 cm wide, white, pink or lilac; spring to summer. Sepals and petals similar, oblong to elliptic. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes small, midlobe clawed, upper margins curved under, callus yellow.

Mexico and C America.

O. cheirophorum Rchb. f., Colombia Buttercup, from C and S America is a small epiphyte with short panicles of many small mostly yellow flowers.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.