Herbs, terrestrial. Pseudobulb cormlike, subterranean, ovoid-oblong, several noded, with fibrous roots at base, occasionally persisting and remaining connected to pseudobulbs produced in subsequent years by means of a slender rhizome. Leaves 1 or 2, arising from apex of pseudobulb, linear to oblong-lanceolate, plicate, tapering into a long petiole-like stalk at base, often with 1 or 2 membranous sheaths at base. Inflorescence arising from an intermediate node of pseudobulb, erect, terminal, with several tubular sheaths, racemose; rachis several to many flowered; floral bracts persistent, membranous. Flowers small to medium-sized, resupinate. Sepals and petals free, similar, spreading; lateral sepals sometimes shallowly saccate at base. Lip 3-lobed or entire, clawed at base, without a spur; disk usually with a pair of longitudinal lamellae or a callus, rarely without either. Column long, slightly arcuate, base sometimes dilated, but without a conspicuous foot; anther terminal, incumbent; pollinia 4, subglobose, waxy, borne on a common stipe and attached to a globose viscidium.

About 16 species: Bhutan, E and SW China, NE India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, E Russia (Far East, Siberia); 11 species (seven endemic) in China.

(Authors: Chen Xinqi (陈心启 Chen Sing-chi); Phillip J. Cribb, Stephan W. Gale)