FZ.27. Phaius Lour.

Terrestrial (rarely epiphytic) herbs with pseudobulbs or leafy stems, both sometimes present. Leaves arising from pseudobulbs or spaced along the stem with tubular sheaths enclosing the stems; petiolate; lamina plicate. Inflorescence a raceme, 1-few-flowered, arising from base of a pseudobulb or the lower part of the stem. Flowers often large and showy; sepals and petals sub-equal, free, spreading; lip erect, spurred or saccate; upper surfaces with longitudinal ridges, joined, or rarely fused, to base of the column; lateral lobes erect or incurved, mid-lobe usually retuse; disc often keeled; column long, slender with a dilated apex.

Worldwide: 48 species from tropical Africa to the Pacific.

Malawi: 1 taxon.