Chytroglossa

Maxillarieae subtribe Ornithocephalinae

Miniature caespitose epiphytes producing fan-shaped growths. Pseudobulbs minute, subtended by several foliaceous bracts. Inflorescences axillary racemes. Flowers asymmetric. Sepals and petals subsimilar, subequal, linear-oblong. Lip three-lobed, sessile, subsaccate at the base, the callus basal, transverse, surrounded by trichomes. Column erect, asymmetrically twisted and bent backwards, without wings or foot; pollinia 4, in two unequal pairs, on a common spatulate stipe and minute viscidium.

From the Greek chytros, meaning pot, and glossa, meaning tongue, referring to the subsaccate base of the lip.

A genus of four species endemic to Brazil.

Bock, I. Eine neue Chytroglossa-Art aus Brasilien. Die Orchidee 48(5):180-183.