Geodorum Jackson,
in Andr., Bot. Repos. (1810) t. 626
Sympodial terrestrial plants with short rhizomes. Pseudobulbs consisting of several nodes, partly underground. Leaves few, sheathing at the base, glabrous, plicate, deciduous, convolute, thin-textured. Inflorescence arising from the base of the immature shoot, a raceme, flower-bearing part abruptly curved downwards. Flowers medium-sized, resupinate. Sepals free. Petals free, usually broader than the sepals. Lip not spurred, shallowly cup-shaped, not mobile. Column-foot present. Pollinia 2, solid, cleft, caudicles absent, stipe present, viscidium present.
Distribution
Sri Lanka, tropical continental Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific islands, east to Niue. About 8 species; in New Guinea one, non-endemic, species [Geodorum densiflorum (Lam.) Schltr.].
Habitat
In lowland and montane forest and in open vegetation on poor soils.
Notes
Closely related to Eulophia, but easily recognised by the abruptly downward curved top of the inflorescence, with the flowers facing the ground. Geodorum is rarely seen in cultivation.