Medium sized epiphyte. Stems to 35 cm long. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, to 25 cm long, to 7 cm wide, leathery, green. Inflorescences to 35 cm long, erect. Flowers many, to 2.5 cm long, purplish with white or cream markings; summer. Dorsal sepal free. Lateral sepals joined for most of their length, similar in length to dorsal. Petals much smaller than sepals. Labellum entire, longer than petals, linear to oblong.

Mexico to Panama.

P. prolifera Herb. ex Lindl. from Venezuela and Brazil is a compact epiphyte with long stems, smallish leaves and few to many, small, purple or reddish flowers in short racemes.

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.