[Greek pelex, helmet, in reference to dorsal sepal, which is united with petals to form narrow hood]

James D. Ackerman

Herbs, terrestrial, rarely subaquatic, sympodial. Roots fasciculate, thick, fleshy, villous. Leaves 1–several, basal; petiole not articulate, reddish purple, long. Inflorescences terminal, many-flowered racemes or spikes, erect, pedunculate, bracteate. Flowers resupinate, green; dorsal sepal connivent with petals forming hood over column; lateral sepals decurrent on column foot; lip sagittate to auriculate, fleshy, basal margins adnate to sides of column; column cylindric, elongate, puberulent to pilose; column foot elongate; anther abaxial, ovate-cordate; pollinia 2, oblong-clavate, mealy; stigmas 2, adjacent; rostellum elongate; viscidium ovate to suborbiculate; ovary sessile to subsessile. Fruits capsules, erect.

Species 67 (1 in the flora): subtropical and tropical regions, North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.

Lower Taxon

• Pelexia adnata (Swartz) Sprengel