Genus Stereosandra

Stereosandra Blume,
Mus. Bot. Lugd. Bat. 2 (1856) 176

Leafless terrestrial plants. Rhizome underground, tuber-like. Inflorescence terminal, a many-flowered raceme. Flowers small, resupinate, not opening widely, whitish with violet markings. Sepals and petals free, similar to each other. Lip without spur, not mobile, entire, at the base with two warts. Column-foot absent. Pollinia 2, sectile, caudicles present, stipe absent, viscidium present.

Distribution
Tropical east Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands. One widespread species [Stereosandra javanica Blume] only.

Habitat
Terrestrial in lowland and montane forest.

Notes
Relatively tall, leafless terrestrial plants. Unlike the related genus Epipogium, the simple lip lacks a spur, and is provided with two basal warts. In both genera the ovaries of the newly opened flowers are distinctly swollen and the plants are self-pollinating. Not in cultivation.

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