Habit: saprophytic herbs

Stem: branched, glabrous, without leaf, noded, with scalelike sheath or roots

Inflorescence: type: raceme, panicle

Inflorescence: position: terminal or subterminal, laterally on stem

Petal: base connivent to sepals or with claw

Labellum: with longitudinal ridges or keels, not lobed

Column: with column foot

Stigma: concave

Pollinia: number: 2

Pollinia: other characteristics: granular-farinaceous, without appendage

Fruit:type: capsule

Fruit:shape: cylindrical, oblong

Fruit: other characteristics: dehiscent

Seed: with thick testa, winged