Greek peristerion − little pigeon, dove; the column and labellum side lobes of P. elata, when viewed from the front, look like a dove at rest.
Epiphytic or terrestrial herbs, sympodial, with short rhizomes. Stems thickened into ovoid to conical pseudobulbs, fleshy, grooved, green. Leaves apical, 1?several, large, pleated, stalked. nflorescences basal racemes, erect to pendent, short or long. Flowers resupinate, many, medium sized to large, showy, fleshy, fragrant, variously coloured. Sepals similar, dorsal free, laterals fused at base, weakly spreading. Petals smaller than sepals, free. Labellum 3-lobed, side lobes erect and clasping column, midlobe simple, hinged at base. Column short, stout, 2-winged near tip, beaked at tip. Pollinia 2, waxy.
About 7 species from C and S America.
Showy flowers with very broad overlapping segments; column with a downward pointing beak at tip.
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.