Cheirostylis Blume,
Bijdr. (1825) 413
Sympodial epiphytic or terrestrial plants. Stem elongated, basal part creeping, often very succulent and swollen, forming a rhizome, apical part erect, usually rather short. Leaves few, distributed along the stem or crowded at its apex, sheathing at the base, glabrous, persistent, convolute, herbaceous. Inflorescence terminal, a few-flowered raceme. Flowers small, resupinate, usually with a white lip. All three sepals connate at the base for 1/2 to 2/3 of their length. Petals free, about as long as the dorsal sepal, usually cohering at the apices. Lip without spur, not mobile. Column with two thin, narrow appendages near the apex. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe present, viscidium present. Stigma with 2 clearly separated lobes.
Distribution
Tropical Africa, Madagascar, tropical continental Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific islands, east to New Caledonia; about 15 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Luzon (Kalinga-Apayao, Benguet, Quezon, Tayabas), Mindoro, Panay, Negros; 3 species.
Habitat
Terrestrial in lowland and montane forest, also on rocks, and epiphytic on tree trunks and major branches.
Notes
A genus of very inconspicuous plants allied to Zeuxine, Myrmechis, etc., recognised by the tubular connate sepals and the pair of appendages at the apex of the column.