23. Pseudorchis Seguier, Pl. Veron. 3: 254. 1754.
Small white orchid [Greek pseudo, false, and the generic name Orchis]
Charles J. Sheviak
Herbs, perennial, rather succulent. Roots fasciculate, fleshy, both slender and digitately divided tuberoids. Stems leafy, leaves gradually reduced apically, generally to bracts proximal to inflorescence. Leaves few to several, ascending-spreading, conduplicate, bases sheathing. Inflorescences terminal, solitary, rather dense spikes; floral bracts foliaceous, prominently exserted to reduced and inconspicuous. Flowers several to many, resupinate; lip deeply 3-lobed, lobes entire, nearly equal, base spurred; anther cells parallel; pollinia 2, pollinaria 2, separated by thick, fleshy, laminar projection of midlobe of rostellum, free viscidia sheltered within pockets formed by auriculate lateral rostellum lobes; stigma concave. Fruits capsules.
Species 2 or 3 (1 in the flora): ne North America, Europe, n Atlantic Islands.
