Eria amica Reichb. f., Xenia Orchid. 2: 162 (1870).

Plants epiphytic, 12–30 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs cylindrical narrowly ellipsoid, 3–6 × 1–2 cm sheathed. Leaves 2–4, lanceolate-elliptic, 7–21 x 0.6–2 cm, acute, thick, petiole narrowed in to a 0.5 – 2 cm long, channeled. Inflorescences 2–5, axillary, 6–14 cm long, laxly 8- to 12-flowered, laxly nearly sessile.  Floral bract elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 7-15 x 3 mm, acuminate, puberulous, 6–7 veined. Flower 1.8–2 cm, ca. 2 cm across, buff yellow to greenish- yellow, with reddish brown veins, pubescent, Pedicel and ovary 1.2–2.5 cm, slender, pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 7–8 x 2–2.5 mm, obtuse, entire. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, 8–9 x 5 mm, blunt, acute, 5-veined, mentum 4–6 mm. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, 7–10 x 2–3 mm, acute, falcate, glabrous, 3–5 veined. Lip 3-lobed, ovate-elliptic in outline, 0.8–10 x 5 mm, acute, entire pink with bright yellow apex; mid-lobe oblong to reniform, 3-4 x 4.5 mm; lateral lobes triangular, oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse, incurved; disk with 3 orange-yellow lamellae with parallel ridges, smooth, dark purple. central lamellae uniformly thick, extends up to the middle of mid-lobe. Column 3–8 mm. Capsules 5–6.5 cm long, oblong.

Distribution: NW. Himalaya, Nepal, E. Himalaya, and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 1400- 1600 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunk and lithophytic on boulders in moist sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: March – May.

Eria annapurnensis L.R.Shakya & M.R.Shrestha, Edin J. Bot 64 (1): 1–5 (2007).

Plants epiphytic, 13–16 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs ovoid to flask-shaped,3–4 6 x 1–1.8 cm high, crowded, sheathed. Leaves 3, linear, 8–11 x 1 cm, acuminate, sheathed at the base, sessile. Inflorescence terminal, 2–4 cm laxly 2- or 3-flowered, shorter than leaves. Floral bract elliptic-ovate, 4.5 x 1.5 mm, glabrous, acute. Flower 1.5 cm across, sepals and petals white, lip mid-lobe yellow, lateral lobes purple, pubescent, pedicel and ovary 5–6 mm long, slender. Sepal unequal. Dorsal sepal oblong, 7.4 x 1.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 7.4 x 2.5 mm, 3-veined, weakly falcate, mentum absent. Petals linear-oblong, ca. 1 mm, sub-acute, 3-veined. Lip tri-lobed, oblong, 7 x 5 mm, fleshy; mid-lobe orbicular, apiculate lateral lobes triangular-oblong, obtuse, incurved; disk with 2 thick lamellae between the lateral lobes, with a distinctly serrated keel at the centre of the lip. Column ca. 2 mm. Capsule not seen.

Distribution. Endemic to Nepal.

Altitudinal Range: 2000 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks and lithophytic on boulders in evergreen and mixed sub-tropical forests.

Flowering and fruiting: June.

Eria apertiflora Summerh., Bull. Misc. inform Kew. 9 (1929).

Plants epiphytic, 20–22 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulb, stem like, cylindrical, 9.5–16 cm, slender, covered by leaf sheath. Leaves 4 or 5, oblong-lanceolate, 13–21 x 2.8–5.5 cm, acute, sub-coriaceous. Petiole narrow channeled 3–4 cm. Inflorescence lateral, 14 cm long, laxly many-flowered, pubescent.  Floral bract ovate, 5—10 x 3 mm, acute, pubescent, 3-veined. Flower 8–9 mm yellowish white with yellow at the tip of the lip, pedicel and ovary ca. 2.5 mm, pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal lanceolate-ovate, 3.5–6.5 x 2–3 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals oblique-ovate, 4–6 x 2 mm, sub-falcate, acute, 3-veined, mentum ca. 3mm long. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, 3—3.5 x 1—1.5 mm, obtuse, glabrous, entire, 1-veined. Lip 3-lobed, rhomboid, yellow, rarely purplish 2.5–3 x 3mm, obtuse, thick, wavy margin; mid-lobe triangular, obtuse, thick, white with yellow at the tip, rarely purplish, no callus; lateral lobes semicircular, obtuse. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

Distribution: Nepal, Assam Burma, and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 1600 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on moss-covered tree trunks in moist, evergreen sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: November- January.

Eria baniae Bajrach., L.R. Shakya & Chettri, J. Orchids Soc. Ind. 16 (1-2): 91 (2002).

Plants epiphytic, ca. 3 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs oblong, ca. 3 x 0.5 cm gradually tapering at the apex, sheathed leaf base. Leaves not seen, absent during flowering period. Inflorescence lateral, ca. 2 cm long, 10 flowered, arising from the base of leafless pseudobulbs, as long as or slightly exceeding length of pseudobulbs. Floral bract ovate-lanceolate, 3 x 1.1 mm, acuminate, margin slightly erose, glabrous, 1-veined. Flower 1.2–1.25 cm across, not well spreading, white, pedicel and ovary ca. 2–2.5 mm, glabrous, as long as bract. Sepal unequal. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 6 x 1.5–2 mm, acute. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, ca. 5.5 x 2 mm, falcate, acute, broad below, 2-veined, mentum rounded, ca. 3 mm. Petals oblong-lanceolate, ca. 5 x 1.5 mm, obtuse. 3-veined. Lip ca. simple, ovate, ca. 4.5 x 3 mm, entire, acute, more or less deltoid, disk with three pink callus. Column ca. 2 mm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution:  Endemic to Nepal.

Altitudinal range:  1600m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on Berberis asiatica in sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: April.

Eria bipunctata Lindl. in Edward’s Bot. Reg. (Misc.)27: 83 (1841).

Plants epiphytic, 20–22 cm tall, Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs fusiform, 4–6.5 cm high, compressed, with four or five nodes, covered by membranous sheaths. Leaves 5 or 6, obovate-elliptic to elliptic, 8–15 x 2.5–3 cm, acute, glabrous, entire. Petiolate channeled 3–4 cm. Inflorescence lateral, 4-8 cm, laxly many-flowered, erect, cylindrical, bent, pubescent. Floral bract ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 4–6 x 2–5 mm, acute, translucent, sparsely pubescent externally, 3-veined. Flower 3-5 mm 6 mm across, creamy-white, with light yellow apex of sepals and petals, pedicel and ovary 4–5 mm, sparsely pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic, 4—5 x 2—2.5 mm, obtuse.  Lateral sepals oblong-elliptic, 3-5–7.5x 5 mm, acute, connate with the column-foot to form an orbicular, shallowly emarginate mentum. Petals oblong, 2.5–3×2 mm, obtuse, slightly falcate, membranous, Lip 3-lobed, distinctly yellow, rhomboid 3–4 x 2.5 mm, thick, ca 4.5 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, through lateral-lobes, fan-shaped, continuous with the column-foot without any separating line between them, 3-lobed; lateral-lobes short, erect, obtuse; mid-lobe twice as long as broad, quadrate, truncate, obtuse, side-lobes purple tipped. Column 2–2.5 mm. Capsule ca. 1 cm long, oblanceolate.

Distribution: Nepal, E. Himalaya, and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 1000-1700 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on moss-covered tree trunks in moist tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests.

Flowering: July –September.

Eria bractescens Lindl. in Edwards’s Bot Reg. 18 (misc.): 27 (1841).

Plants epiphytic, 12–25cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs narrowly cylindric-conical, 5—8 cm, slightly curved, mostly covered by sheath. Leaves 2–6, terminal, 10–17 x 0.8–3.5 cm, elliptic-oblong, acute or obtuse, slightly notched at apex, petiole narrowed to form a 0.5 – 1 cm, channeled. Inflorescence 2, axillary, 6—10 cm, laxly 7 to 9 flowered, sheathed at base, glabrous. Floral bract elliptic-ovate, 6-15 x 2-3.5 mm, obtuse, strongly reflexed glabrous. 3-veined. Flower 0.7-2 cm, 1.5-2 cm across, delicate, creamy white to pale yellow, glabrous, pedicel and ovary 0.7–1.4 cm, cylindrical, glabrous. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 5–12 x 2 mm, acute. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 7—12 x 2—4 mm, acute, glabrous, falcate, 5-veined, mentum 4–6 mm. Petals 9–10 x 2–2.5 mm, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, obtuse, membranous, entire, 3-veined. Lip 3-lobed, ovate-oblong, 5–10 x 4–6 mm; mid-lobe creamy, quadrate, decurved, obovate or oblong; lateral lobes deep pink, erect, large, rounded, falcate; disk 3-lamellate, unequal, running along nearly its entire length, central lamella extending up to near apex of mid-lobe, the two lateral lamellae dilated towards base. Column ca. 3—5 mm. Capsules 2–4 cm long, fusiform-elliptic.

Distribution: Nepal, E. Himalaya, and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2000 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks in tropical and sub-tropical forest.

Flowering: April – June.

Eria concolor C.S.P. Parish. & Rchb. f., Trans. Linn. Soc. London 30: 148 (1874).

Plants epiphytic, 15–20cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs fusiform, 3–5 cm, narrowed at base, clavate above, covered with small sheath. Leaves 2 or 3, linear-lanceolate, 14 x 1.3–2 cm, acute, membranous. Petiolate short channeled 1–2 cm. Inflorescence lateral, 4–5 cm, suberect, few flowered, sparsely pubescent. Floral bract ovate-lanceolate, ca. 2 x 1 mm, small or narrow, acute, glabrous, 3-veined. Flower greenish yellow, ca. 1.5–2 mm across, glabrous, dull pink claret and yellow. Pedicel and ovary1–1.5 cm, more or less hairy.  Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal oblong, ca. 5-6.5 x 2-2.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, 5-5.5 x 2 mm, acuminate, falcate, 3-veined. Petals 5-5.5 x 2 mm, linear, acute, glabrous, 3-5 veined. Lip obscurely tri-lobed, 6-7 x 2 mm, hypochile oblong, obtuse, base narrow cuneate; mid-lobe orbicular, retuse, apiculate; disk with a thick keel merging at apex with an indentation separating hypochile and epichile; lateral lobes very narrow. Column ca. 2–3 mm, curved.  Capsule not seen.

Distribution: Nepal, and SE Asia

Altitudinal range: 500 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks in tropical forest.

Flowering: June.

Eria excavata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 67 (1830).

Plants epiphytic, 13–20 cm. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs cylindric, 0.5–0.9 cm, arranged in a row, wrinkled, sheathing at base. Leaves 4–6, elliptic-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 7–17 x 1–3 cm, acute, entire, membranous, petiole narrowed in to a short, channeled 1–2 cm. Inflorescence 1, terminal, arising from leaf axil, laxly 6–12 flowered, pubescent, more or less reddish, brown, pubescent. Floral bract ovate-lanceolate, 0.5–1.1 x 0.1–0.15 cm, acute, pubescent, 1-veined. Flower pale creamy white, 1.2–1.8 cm, ca. 1.4 cm across, partially open, pedicel and ovary ca. 1 cm, rusty-brown pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic-lanceolate, 5–7 x 2.5–3.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals broadly oblique, elliptic-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 3-5–6 x 3 mm, falcate, acute, mentum strongly reduced or absent. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, 4–5 x 2—3 mm, acute or obtuse, membranous, glabrous, 3-veined. Lip 3-lobed ca. 8×4 mm, obovate, occasionally emerginate entire, pale green with yellowish-red marking 3 veined, lateral lobe rounded, obtuse, entire, mid-lobe oblong or suborbicular, acute bilobulate, , disk with two elongated callus from base to middle of the lateral lobes. Column ca. 1.5–3 mm. Capsules 1.5–2.5 cm long, oblanceolate-oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, and E. Himalaya.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen broad-leaved forests.

Altitudinal range: 1300-2200 m.

Flowering: May – June.

Eria graminifolia Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc. Bot. 3: 54 (1859).

Plants epiphytic, 18–30 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous Pseudobulbs cylindrical, 12-25 cm, sheathed. Leaves 2–6, linear-lanceolate to narrowly oblong-elliptic, 7–15 x 0.9–2.2 cm, clustered at apex of pseudobulb, narrowed towards base, acuminate, petiole narrowed in to a short, channeled 0.8–1 cm. Inflorescence 1-4, axillary or extra axillary, 5–16 cm long, erect, laxly 15–20 flowered, peduncle, ca. 2–9 cm, rachis 4–10 cm, loosely glandular, pubescent. Floral bract ovate-lanceolate, 6—7 x 1 mm, acuminate, pubescent externally, 3-veined. Flower 1.5–2 cm long, 2 cm across, white, lip spotted with yellow, pedicel and ovary 4–8 mm, pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 6-10 x 2.5-4 mm acute. Lateral sepals slightly ovate-lanceolate, 6—8 x 5 mm, acute or acuminate, falcate, 3-veined, mentum rounded, ca. 6 mm. Petals oblong- elliptic 6–9 mm, sub-acute or obtuse, thin, weekly falcate, glabrous, 3-veined. Lip 3-lobed, oblong or more or less orbicular, 6–9 x 1.5-2 mm, emarginate, fleshy; mid-lobe ca 3 x 4.5 mm, fleshy, cordate triangular, reflexed, strongly longitudinally folded, entire, apex acute, strongly curved backwards giving the appearance of deeply emarginate, disk with three yellowish, unequal fleshy lamellae extending from base to mid-lobe and oblong callus.  lateral lobes broadly oblong, obtuse, erect, incurved, Column 3.5–4 mm. Capsules 2–4.5 cm long, oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, NW Himalaya, E. Himalaya, Assam-Burma and China.

Altitudinal range: 1600-2200 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on moss-covered tree trunks and lithophytic on boulders in tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forest.

Flowering: June – August.

Eria alba Lindl.

 Plants epiphytic, 10–25 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs ovoid to flask-shaped, 1.3–5.5 cm long, crowded, sheathed at the base. Leaves 3–5, linear-lanceolate, 9–15 x 0.5–2.5 cm, acuminate, sheathed at the base, petiole 1–2 cm, channeled. Inflorescence 1, terminal 4–8 flowered, 5–8 cm, erect, peduncle short, sparsely pubescent. Floral bract elliptic-ovate, 5–7 x1–1.5 mm, acute, externally pubescent, 3-veined. Flower 1.5–2 cm, ca. 2 cm across, white, pedicel and ovary 5-6 mm, slender, sparsely pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal spreading, elliptic-lanceolate, 7-9 x 2–4 mm, acute to acuminate. Lateral sepals oblong, 10 x 3.5 mm, acute, weakly falcate, mentum 2.8-3.5 mm. Petals linear-oblong, 7–9 x 3 mm, sub-acute, glabrous, 3-veined. Lip 3-lobed, obovate-oblong in outline, shortly clawed at base, ca. 8–11 x 4 mm, fleshy, mid-lobe broadly orbicular, crenate to undulate, acute to mucronate, entire, apiculate; lateral lobes ovate-cordate, obtuse; disk with 3 lamellate ridges at base of the lip, lateral lamelle thick, central lamelle thin. Column 3 mm long. Capsules 1.5–3 cm, narrowly oblanceolate.

Distribution: Nepal, and E. Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 1400-2300 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks and lithophytic on boulders in sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: April – June.

Eria obesa Lindl., Gen & Sp. Orch.: 68 (1830); Eria lindleyana Griff.

Plants epiphytic, 15–17 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs stout, clavate-ovate, 4–7 cm long, with scarious sheath. Leaves 5–6, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, ca. 12 x 1 cm, shedding before flowering, developed in autumn, obtuse, petiolate sessile. Inflorescence lateral, 2-4 flowered, 2-3 cm long, laterally on a year old pseudobulbs, rachis 1 cm. Floral bract ovate, 2.5–3 x 2.5 mm, acute, greenish dull purple, thin, sparsely pubescent externally, 3-veined. Flower ca. 2 cm across, white with tinge of pink, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary ca. 1 cm long, pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal lanceolate 10–12 x 2 mm, acuminate. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 10–12 x 1.5–3 mm, acute, glabrous, 3-veined, mentum ca.1 mm, round, curved, sub-conic. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 10–12 x 2 mm, obtuse, glabrous, 3-veined. Lip obscurely tri-lobed, 0.8–12 x 3 mm, panduriform in outline; mid-lobe oblong to quadrate or ovate-triangular, crenulate, apiculate; disk with 3 pink uniformed thickened lamellae running from the base, central lamella extends to mid-lobe end below apex; lateral lobe oblong-lanceolate, falcate, entire, obtuse, thin. Column 3 mm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution:  Himalaya Nepal, SE Asia, and Assam-Burma.

Altitudinal range: 500 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on moss-covered tree trunks in tropical forest.

Flowering: August.

Eria pokharensis. Bajrach., A. Subedi & K. K. Shrestha, J. Orchid Soc. India 17: 91 (2003).

Plants epiphytic, 15–17 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs stout, clavate-ovate, 4–7 cm long, with scarious sheath. Leaves 4 or 5, oblong-lanceolate, 4–6 x 0.9–10 cm, acute, entire, membranous, glabrous. Petiolate narrowed in to a short, channeled 1–2 cm. Inflorescence lateral, 2-4 flowered, 2-3 cm long, laterally on a year old pseudobulbs, rachis 1 cm. Floral bracts 8–9 x 2 mm, triangular, acuminate, scattered hairs on the edge, 3-veined. Flower ca. 2 cm across, white with tinge of pink, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary ca. 1 cm long, pubescent. Sepal unequal, Dorsal sepal lanceolate 10–12 x 2 mm, acuminate. Lateral sepals lanceolate, 10–12 x 1.5–3 mm, acute, glabrous, 3-veined, mentum ca.1 mm, round, curved, sub-conic. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 10–12 x 2 mm, obtuse, glabrous, 3-veined. Lip obscurely tri-lobed, 0.8–12 x 3 mm, panduriform in outline; mid-lobe oblong to quadrate or ovate-triangular, crenulate, apiculate; disk with 3 pink uniformed thickened lamellae running from the base, central lamella extends to mid-lobe end below apex; lateral lobe oblong-lanceolate, falcate, entire, obtuse, thin. Column 3 mm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution: Endemic to Nepal.

Altitudinal range: 900-1000 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks in moist tropical and sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: April-June.

Octomeria spicata D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal: 31 (1825); Eria spicata (D.Don) Hand.-Mazz.

Plants epiphytic, 30–35 cm tall. Rhizome inconspicuous. Pseudobulbs cylindric to fusiform, 3.5-10 cm long, sheathed. Leaves 4–6, elliptic-lanceolate, 15–19 x 3.5–4.5 cm, acute, glabrous, sub coriaceous, petiole sessile or sometimes with narrow, channeled petiole 1.5–5 cm. Inflorescence 2–3, axillary, raceme, 5-6 cm, densely many-flowered, glabrous. Floral bract ovate-lanceolate, 5-7 x 3 mm long, acute, pubescent externally. Flower 7–12 mm long, 3-5 mm across, white or yellowish-white with purplish tint apex, sub globose, glabrous, pubescent near the ovary. Pedicel and ovary 2–3 mm long. Sepal subequal, Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 4–5 x 1.5—2 mm, bent inward. Lateral sepals ovate- triangular, 3–6 x 2.5 mm, acute, slightly falcate, concave, mentum ca. 2.5 mm long, 3-veined. Petals oblanceolate-oblong, 2.5–3 x 1.5—3 mm, acute, glabrous, 1-veined. Lip obscurely 3-lobed, rhomboid shape or wedge shaped, or fan-shaped, 4–5 mm long, mid-lobe broader than long, quadrate, densely glandular-pubescent throughout, obtuse to truncate, mucronate to shortly apiculate, disk without lamellae, lateral-lobe ovate-falcate, rounded, much larger than mid-lobe, yellow. Column ca. 3 mm long, curved. Capsules 0.6 – 1.2 cm, elliptic-oblong, curve

Distribution: Nepal, N E. Himalaya, SE Asia and China.

Altitudinal range: 1000-1200 m.

Ecology: Epiphytic on tree trunks in tropical and sub-tropical forests.

Flowering: February – August.