Liparis

Family Orchidaceae. The genus Liparis comprises about 300 species, occurring predominantly in the tropics of the Old World; 5 species are found in the countries of the former USSR.

Plants with an ovoid tuber covered, together with the stem base, by membranous sheaths of old leaves; sometimes there are several such tubers, in which case they form a short rhizome. Leaves broad, large, basal. The scape is winged and ribbed. Inflorescence a raceme. Sepals lanceolate, usually with "auricles"; petals linear; the lip ovoid, directed downward (rarely upward), narrowed at the base, slightly undulate at the margin. Ovary club-shaped, pedicel twisted.