Fls ∞ in ± spirally twisted spike; floral bracts = or > ovary. Ovary and per. ± glandular-pubescent; per. ± horizontal-tubular, dorsal sepal uppermost; lateral sepals subsimilar, not connate; petals ± similar, in part adnate to dorsal sepal. Labellum of about equal length, sessile or shortly clawed, concave and embracing base of column, distally spreading and crenate to crisped; calli 2, lateral, near base. Column short, us. flanked by 2 small wings; anther dorsal, often overtopped by rostellum, pollinia 2 per cell, pollen granular; stigma broad; rostellum us. long, remaining as 2 tall processes after its central long-oval viscidium is detached. Plants terrestrial, glab. except for infl.; roots clustered, us. ± tuberous. Lvs several, mostly basal; stem with persistent sheathing bracts Spp. estimated at 50 to 300, widely dispersed through temperate zones. The N.Z. sp. widespread in Australia and Asia.