Greek osme – odour; glossum – tongue or lip; an allusion to the sweet fragrance of these orchids.
Epiphytic herbs, sympodial, with short creeping rhizomes. Stems thickened into ovoid pseudobulbs, subtended by sheaths. Leaves apical, usually 2, narrow, strap-like, leathery. Inflorescences basal racemes, erect to arching. Flowers resupinate or non-resupinate, few to several, medium sized, fleshy, fragrant, white, often with purple markings. Sepals similar, laterals free or variously joined. Petals similar to sepals or wider, free. Labellum entire, fused to column foot, callus 3-ridged and fleshy. Column short, winged. Pollinia 2, pear-shaped.
About 7 species from Mexico and C America.
The medium sized predominantly white flowers, sometimes with purplish markings.
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.
