Greek polys – many; stachys – ear of grain, spike; either an allusion to the resemblance of the inflorescence of some species to an ear of grain or to the branched inflorescences of some species.
Epiphytic, epilithic or rarely terrestrial HERBS, sympodial, with creeping woody rhizomes. STEMS canelike or thickened into pseudobulbs, compressed, clustered or well spaced. LEAVES lateral and/or apical, 1 or several, thin to leathery. INFLORESCENCES terminal racemes, spikes or panicles, erect or arching. FLOWERS usually non-resupinate, 1-many, small, variously coloured. SEPALS similar, dorsal free, laterals fused to column foot forming a pouch. PETALS smaller than sepals, free. LABELLUM entire or 3-lobed, often fleshy, tip curved over. COLUMN short, with a long foot. POLLINIA 4, in 2 pairs.
About 200 species widespread in the tropics but mostly Africa.
Many small non-resupinate flowers in often dense, terminal, simple or branching racemes.
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.