Yellowspike Orchids

Epiphytic, occasionally lithophytic or terrestrial, herbs with sympodial growth. Pseudobulbs usually present. Leaves linear to elliptic or oblanceolate, of various textures. Inflorescence a raceme or panicle, arising from the apex of the pseudobulb. Flowers usually not resupinate, usually scented. Lateral sepals fused to the column-foot to form a mentum. Lip usually 3-lobed, less often entire, glabrous or pubescent, often recurved, fleshy. Pollinia 2.

Polystachya, abbreviated Pol in horticultural trade, and commonly known as yellowspike orchid, is a flowering plant genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). This rather distinctive genus was described by William Jackson Hooker in 1824 and is the type genus of the subtribe Polystachyinae. It contains about 100 species widespread across many of the tropical areas of the world.