Habit: saprophytic herbs

Rhizome: with fleshy roots

Stem: with scalelike sheath or roots

Inflorescence: type: raceme

Inflorescence: position: terminal or subterminal

Sepal: free or similar

Petal: narrower than sepals or as long as dorsal sepal, adnate to dorsal sepal forming a hood

Labellum: with sac or spur or auricles at base, T-shaped or Y-shaped, 3-partite

Column: with wing or triangular-falcate or arm-shaped or subulate appendages

Anther: 2-loculed

Stigma: 2

Rostellum: 2-lobed or beaked

Pollinia: number: 2

Pollinia: other characteristics: granular-farinaceous, with caudicle or viscidium