Liparis odorata - Fragrant Liparis

Fragrant Liparis is a terrestrial orchid with pseudobulbs nearly ovoid, 1.3-2.2 x 1-1.5 cm, noded, enclosed by white membranous sheaths. Leaves are 2 or 3; stalk sheathlike, 2.5-10 cm, not jointed. Leaf blade is narrowly elliptic, ovate-oblong, oblong-lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate, 6-17 x 2.5-6 cm, membranous or herbaceous, base contracted into stalk, margin entire, tip long-pointed. Flower spike is 14-40 cm, prominently exceeding the leaves. Rachis is laxly several to 10-flowered; floral bracts often spreading horizontally, lanceolate, 4-6 mm. Flowers are greenish yellow or greenish brownish, stalk and ovary 6-8 mm. Dorsal sepal is linear, 7-8 × ca. 1.5 mm, inconspicuously 3-veined, margin revolute, tip blunt; lateral sepals are ovate-oblong, slightly oblique, 6-7 x 2.5 mm, 3-4-veined. Petals are nearly narrowly linear, 6-7 x 0.8 mm, widened toward apex, 1-veined, margin revolute; lip obovate-oblong, ca. 5.5 × 3.5-4.5 mm, with 2 triangular calli near base, apical margin denticulate, apex subtruncate and emarginate. Capsules are obovoid-oblong or ellipsoid, 1-1.5 cm. Fragrant Liparis is found in the Himalayas, from Kumaun to Sikkim, Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, at altitudes of 1800-2800 m. Flowering: April-July.