Hooded Orchid

Galeandra bicarinata was previously identified as G. beyrichii Reichenbach f., a similar species with four pronounced keels on the lip.

Plants apparently saprophytic, leafless at anthesis, to 60 cm. Roots numerous, white, thick, fleshy. Stems abbreviated rhizomes; pseudobulbs subterranean, cormlike, ovoid, covered with scales. Leaves: petiole to 15 cm; blade 3-ribbed, linear-lanceolate, 25 × 3 cm. Inflorescences borne after leafy shoot, sometimes branched, to 20-flowered, 100 cm, base with several small, imbricating bracts; peduncle purple, with several leaflike bracts to 7 cm; rachis green; floral bracts to 2 cm. Flowers resupinate, light green; sepals spreading, oblanceolate, keeled, to 2.4 × 0.7 cm; petals spreading, oblanceolate, slightly oblique, 2 × 0.7 cm; lip subquadrangular, slightly 3-lobate at apex when spread, 2 × 2.5 cm, base produced into nearly cylindric, slightly hooked, short, obtuse spur, margins crenate, covered with short trichomes, apex reflexed; disc with a narrow callus, covered with short trichomes, bicarinate, keels merging toward base, diverging toward apex; column erect, slightly arcuate, 3-angled, to 1 × 0.3 cm, with prominent foot; anther green, cucullate, acute, the margins and apex papillose, 2 × 0.3 cm; pollinaria with no discernible viscidium or stipe; pollinia 2, yellow, spheric, 1 × 1 mm; pedicellate ovary to 2.5 cm. Capsules pendent, ellipsoid, 3 cm.

Fla.; West Indies (Cuba).

Flowering fall.

Hammocks; 0--100[--1500]m.

Galeandra bicarinata is a species of orchid native to Cuba and Florida. It is closely related to G. beyrichii (widespread throughout much of South America and the Caribbean) and regarded as part of that taxon until described as a distinct species in 2000.