Promenaea

Maxillarieae subtribe Zygopetalinae

Miniature epiphytes, forming caespitose clumps on shortly trailing rhizomes. Pseudobulbs elliptic, angular, subtended by imbricate bracts, the uppermost foliaceous, with the blades of the foliaceous bracts smaller than the leaves. Leaves usually 2, lanceolate, acute, thin-textured, often pale or bluish green. Inflorescences axillary, solitary, horizontal to laxly pendent, produced on the newly maturing growths. Flowers lightly cupped, large for the size of the plant. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar. Lip three-lobed, clawed, articulate to the column foot, with a transverse callus crest. Column straight, with a short to long foot; pollinia 4, in two unequal pairs, sessile on an ovate viscidium.

From the Greek Promeneia, a priestess at Dodona, mentioned by Herodotus.

A genus of 14 species endemic to Brazil.