Hammer orchids

Description

Burnettia cuneata forms underground an oval, fleshy tuber as well as some fibrous roots At flowering time, the tuber consumes its reserves and is not replaced by other tubers. The rung reaches a growth height of 3 to 13 cm. It is of low leaves partially wrapped, the color of the whole plant is reddish brown. The uppermost of the leaves is slightly foliage-leaf-like and reaches a length of 10 to 20 mm with a width of 6 to 8 mm. The racemose terminal inflorescence consists of one to seven flowers. They are brownish outside, the inside is pink to white, the lip is darker reddish striped. The flowers are resupinated The petals are not fused together. The upper sepal is relatively broad and forms a hood over the flower. The lateral sepals and the petalsare widely spread to slightly beaten back. Except for the lip, the petals measure 10 to 13 mm in length with a width of 2.5 to 4 mm. The lip is shorter and wider, inversely egg-shaped, with weak trilobes at the base. On the lip are two longitudinal calluses. The column is relatively long and narrow, slightly curved, narrow winged at the sides. The stamen contains two granular, yellow pollinia which do not require a viscidium. The scar consists of a small, inwardly curved surface. The capsule fruit stands upright, the dried flower remains stick to the fruit. The little seedsare winged.