Greek speira – spiral; anthos – flower; the flowers are arranged spirally in the inflorescence.
Terrestrial herbs, sympodial, usually deciduous. Tubers elongate, fleshy, clustered at base of leaves. Leaves 2 or more, basal, channelled, narrow, margins entire, green, stalkless. Inflorescences a terminal raceme, erect. Flowers resupinate, few-many, small, spirally arranged, usually pink and white. Sepals and petals of similar length, dorsal sepal and petals forming a hood and embracing column. Labellum not lobed, larger than sepals and petals, free, margins often wavy or toothed, with 2 basal glands. Column short, winged. Pollinia 4, granular.
These terrestrial orchids are occasionally grown in pots by enthusiasts.They are moderately hardy and grow well in a light moist compost or in pure sphagnum moss.
About 42 species from most temperate regions of the world.
Small, brightly coloured flowers arranged in a spiral inflorescence.
Backhouse & Jeanes (1995).
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.