Govenia

• Authority

  Ackerman, James D. 1995. An orchid flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 73: 1-203.

• Family

  Orchidaceae

• Scientific Name

  Govenia

• Description

  Genus Description - Plants sympodial, terrestrial. Roots fleshy. Stems rhizomatous or cormlike. Leaves articulate, 2-3, sheaths tubular, elongate; plicate. Inflorescences lateral, erect, pedunculate, raceme several- to many-flowered. Flowers resupinate. Dorsal sepal erect, incurved; lateral sepals falcate. Petals falcate. Lip articulate to the column foot, simple, arched, lacking callosities. Column with a short foot, apex winged; anther terminal, operculate; pollinia 4, hard, waxy, attached to a stipe and viscidium. Fruit a beakless capsule.

• Discussion

  Govenia Lindley ex Loddiges, Bot. Cab. 18: t. 1709. 1831. Type species. Govenia superba (La Llave & Lexarza) Lindley of Mexico to perhaps northern South America. A neotropical and subtropical genus of about 15 species. The generic name honors J. R. Go wen, an English gardener, horticulturalist, and plant collector