Habenaria albomarginata King & Pantl., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 8: 322 (1898); Bhutanthera albomarginata (King & Pantl.) Renz

 Plants 10–14 cm tall. Tuber globose, 6–10 × 5–8 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved above the base. Leaves alternate, elliptic to lanceolate, 3–5 × 1–2 cm, apex acute to obtuse. Inflorescence 7–10 cm, rachis 1–3 cm, laxly 5–10-flowered; peduncle ridged. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–10 × 0.5–1 mm, shorter than pedicel and ovary, apex acuminate. Flowers 4–5 mm across, white, sepals green with white margin. Pedicel and ovary 4–6 mm, twisted, arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic-ovate, 3–4 × 1–2.5 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepal elliptic-ovate, 3–4 × 1–3 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petal suborbicular, 2 × 1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex rounded. Lip ovate, 3 × 2 mm, base flat, constricted, ecallose, 3-lobed, lateral lobes oblong, 1–2 × 0.5 mm, slightly fleshy, apex acute; mid-lobe oblong, 2.5 × 1 mm, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse, spur conic, 1–2 mm, shorter than shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 1.5 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.

 Altitudinal range: 3700–4300 m.

Ecology: Alpine meadows and open grassland slopes.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Plants 4–16 cm tall. Tubers globose, 4–15 × 4–10 mm. Stem slender, 1–2-leaved at the base. Leaves subopposite or opposite, oblong or spatulate, 2–7 × 0.5–2 cm, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescence 3–14 cm, rachis 1–5 cm, laxly 5–25-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts ovate, 3–4 × 1.5–2.5 mm, apex obtuse, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 5 mm across, pale green. Pedicel and ovary 3–6 mm, twisted, straight, apex beaked, hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, concave, 3–4 × 2–2.5 mm, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals falcately elliptic to lancolate, 3–4 × 1–2 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, upper half fleshy but not cuspidate, apex obtuse. Lip pandurate, 5.5 × 2.5 mm, base concave, spur like saccate, ecallose, 3-lobed above middle; lateral lobes triangular, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm, not fleshy, apex obtuse; mid-lobe triangular, 0.5 × 1 mm, papery, apex obtuse. Column 0.5–1 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal and Tibetan Plateau.

 Altitudinal range: 2500–4100 m.

Ecology: Alpine grasslands and meadows.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Platanthera clavigera Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 289 (1835); Habenaria clavigera (Lindl.) Dandy

 Herminium clavigerum Plants 12–80 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, 10–20 × 6–10 mm. Stem stout, 4–6-leaved above or near the middle. Leaves alternate, ovate to elliptic, 4–12 × 1–4 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 20–40 cm, rachis 5–40 cm, laxly 10–60-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 5–10(–40) × 3–5(–12) mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–10 × 1.5–3 mm, apex acuminate, longer than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–5 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 6–12 mm, twisted, arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate-elliptic, 3–5 × 2–2.5 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic-oblong, 3–5.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Petals obliquely oblong-ovate, 3–5 × 2–2.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip ligulate, 4–5.5 × 1–1.5 mm, base concave, entire, fleshy, disk with a conic callus, apex obtuse; spur clavate, 5–6 mm, shorter than shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 5 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2300–3400 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest and forest margins, and on grassy slopes.

Flowering: August–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Monorchis duthiei (Hook.f.) O. Schwarz; Peristylus duthiei (Hook.f.) Deva & H.B. Naithani

 Plants 6–25 cm tall. Tuber ellipsoid to globose, 8–18 × 4–8 mm. Stem slender, 2–3-leaved nearthe base. Leaves opposite, oblanceolate, 3–10 × 0.4–1.5 cm, apex acute to obtuse. Inflorescence 1–10 cm, rachis 2–8 cm, bsecundly 5–26-flowered; cylindric. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, ca. 1–2 × 0.5 mm, apex acute, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3.5 mm across, pale-green. Pedicel and ovary 4.5–6 mm, slightly twisted, straight, apex beaked, hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 2–2.5 × 1–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 2–2.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals ovate, 2–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–2 × 1–2 mm, base concave; obscurely 3-lobed, base not saccate, with two callii but not parrallal keels (smooth); lateral lobes semi-elliptic, 0.5 × 0.5 mm; mid-lobe ovate-triangular, ca. 1 × 0.5 mm, fleshy, apex acute. Column 1 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal and W Himalaya

Altitudinal range: 2500–4000 m.

Ecology: Terrestrial in subalpine to alpine valleys, on open slopes and in meadows.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

 Note: Herminium duthiei is similar to H. macrophyllum as both have reduced lateral lobes of the lip with a callus at the base. However, H. macrophyllum usually has a single sterile bract and saccate base to its lip while H. duthiei has no sterile bracts and the base of its lip is not saccate. Raskoti et al. (2017) considered H. duthiei to be close to H. josephi but based on lip characters H. duthiei is closer to H. macrophyllum and so it is reinstated here.

Habenaria edgeworthii Hook.f. ex Collett, Fl. Siml.: 504 (1902); Platanthera edgeworthii (Hook. f. ex Collett) R. K. Gupta

 Plants 20–50 cm tall. Tuber subglobose to ellipsoid, 10–24 × 4–9 mm. Stem stout, 3–5-leaved near the middle. Leaves alternate, broadly ovate to ovate-oblong or lanceolate, 4–8 × 1–4 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 20–30 cm, rachis 7–28 cm, laxly 5–31-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 20–30 × 2–5 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–15 × 2–3 mm, apex acute, equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 5–10 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 5–15 mm, twisted, arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked.  Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic-ovate, 3–4 × 4–5 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong-ovate, 4.5–6 × 2–3 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 4–6 × 1.5–2 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip ligulate, 5–7 × 1.5–2 mm, base concave, ecallose, entire, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse; spur cylindrical, 1–2 cm, spreading upwards, longer than pedicel and ovary. Column 4 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and W Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 1800–2500 m

Ecology: Quercus forest and forest margins, grassland slopes.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Habenaria elizabethiae Duthie (‘elisabethae’), J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2 Nat. Hist. 71: 44 (1902); Peristylus elizabethiae (Duthie) R. K. Gupta.

Plants 9–40 cm tall. Tubers oblong-ellipsoid, 10–25 × 5–10 mm. Stem slender, 2–3-leaved at the base. Leaves subopposite, elliptic-lanceolate, 3–12 × 0.8–3 cm, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 6–32 cm, rachis 3–22 cm, laxly 5–45-flowered; peduncle slender. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 10–30 × 1–4 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 4–20 mm, apex acuminate, longer than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–4 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 6–10 mm, twisted, arcuate, apex shortly beaked, slightly hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 1.5–2 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 1.5–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Petals obliquely ovate, 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, upper half fleshy, apex obtuse. Lip oblong, 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, base concave, ecallose or with callus, furcately 3-lobed near middle; lateral lobes oblong, 10 × 5 mm, fleshy, apex obtuse; mid-lobe oblong, 1.5 × 1 mm, fleshy, apex obtuse; spur pendulous, oblong-clavate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

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

Altitudinal range: 2100–4100 m.

Ecology: Quercus forest forests and open alpine slopes.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Peristylus fallax Lindl., Gen. Sp. Pl.: 298 (1835); Habenaria fallax (Lindl.) King & Pantl.; Monorchis fallax (Lindl.) O. Schwarz

Plants 14–30 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, 10–15 × 5–8 mm. Stem slender, 1 leaf near the middle. Leaf oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, 6–13 × 0.8–2.5 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 11–22 cm, rachis 5–14 cm long, secundly 9–20-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 10–20 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 6–15 × 2–2.5 mm, apex acuminate, shortet than pedicel and ovary but basal one longer than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–5 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 6–7 mm, twisted, straight, apex shortly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 2–4 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex subacute. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip oblong, 3–5.5 × 1–2 mm, slightly concave, ecallose, 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes oblong, 1.5 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex obtuse, mid-lobe oblong, 1–2 × 2 mm, papery, apex obtuse; spur oblong-clavate, 0.5–1.5 mm, shallowly 2-lobed, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 1.5–2 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 3000–4000 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest, subalpine scrubs and grasslands. 

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Bhutanthera  fimbriata Raskoti, Phytotaxa 62: 57 (2012).

 Plants 8–11 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, 3–5 × 2–4 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved at the base. Leaves opposite, elliptic-ovate, 3–3.5 × 2–3 cm, apex obtuse. Inflorescence 6–7 cm, rachis 2.5 cm, laxly up to 8-flowered, peduncle ridged. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, lanceolate, 1–2 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acuminate, shortet than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–5 mm across, sepals green with white margins, petals and lip white. Pedicel and ovary 7 mm, twisted, slightly arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 4–5 × 2–2.5 mm, apical portion fimbriate, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic-ovate, 5–6 × 2–2.5 mm, apical portion fimbriate, apex obtuse. Petals orbicular-elliptic, 2.5 × 2.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex rounded. Lip oblong, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm, base flat, constricted, ecallose, 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes oblong-lanceolate, 2 × 0.5 mm, slightly fleshy, apex acute; mid-lobe oblong, 2.5 × 1 mm, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse; spur cylindric with slightly dilated apex, 3–4 mm, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 1 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Endemic to Nepal.

Altitudinal range: 3600–3800 m.

Ecology: Subalpine meadows and grassy slopes.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Androcorys gracile (King & Pantl.) Schltr., Monorchis gracilis (King & Pantl.) O. Schwarz

 Plants 8–14 cm tall. Tuber globose-ovoid, 4–6 × 3–4 mm. Stem slender, 1 leaf at the base. Leaf ovate, elliptic or obovate, 1–1.5 × 0.6–1 cm, apex obtuse. Inflorescence 8–13 cm, rachis 4–5 cm, laxly upto 16-flowered; peduncle ridged. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts oblanceolate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acute, shorter than pedicel and ovary, apical portion 3-lobed, side lobes rounded, mid-lobe triangular. Flowers 1–1.5 mm across, green. Pedicel and ovary 2–3 mm, twisted, straight, apex slightly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong, 1–1.5 × 1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals oblong-elliptic, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip oblong-triangular, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm, base dilated, entire, ecallose, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 0.5 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal, C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 3300–4200 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest, and subalpine grassland slopes.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Habenaria alpina Hand.-Mazz., Symb. Sin. 7: 1336 (1936); Bhutanthera alpina (Hand.-Mazz.) Renz.

 Plants 4–8 cm tall. Tubers globose, 5–10 × 3–5 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved at the base. Leaves opposite, elliptic-lanceolate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 cm, apex obtuse to acute. Inflorescence 3–5 cm, 2–3 cm; rachis 1 cm with 1–5-flowered; peduncle ridged. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acute, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–4 mm across, green, sepals, petals and lip margin flushed white. Pedicel and ovary 5–6 mm, slightly twisted and arcuate, apex shortly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse to rounded. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, 2–3.5 × 2–2.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals broadly ovate-orbicular, 1.5–2 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip ovate-lanceolate, ca. 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm, base constricted, ecallose, 3-lobed below middle; lateral lobes reduced or indistinct, orbicular-ovate, apex obtuse; mid-lobe ligulate-lanceolate, 8–10 mm, slightly fleshy, apex acute; spur cylindric, 1–2 mm, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 1.5 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 4200–4300 m.

Ecology: Subalpine and alpine meadows.  

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Plants 35–42 cm tall. Tubers subglobose, 6–10 × 3–7 mm. Stem stout, 3-leaved above or near the middle. Leaves alternate, linear, 15–21 × 0.5–1 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 20 cm, rachis 13–15 cm, secundly upto 40 flowered; peduncle ridged. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–2 mm,  apex acuminate, longer or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 5–9 mm, straight, apex slightly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, ca. 0.5–2 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex subobtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 2.5 × 1 mm, margin entire, apex subobtuse. Petals oblong, 2–4 × 1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip oblong, 1–3 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated and shallowly concave, ecallose, 3-lobed near the apex; lateral lobes falcately triangular, 0.5 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex sub-obtuse; mid-lobe triangular, 1 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex sub-obtuse; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Endemic to Nepal.

Altitudinal range: 2200 m.

Ecology: Humus-rich grassland slopes.

Flowering: August–September. Fruiting: September–October.

 Notes: Herminium hongdeyuanii is similar to Herminium lanceum but differs in its winged peduncle and the mid-lobe of the lip that is longer and narrower than the triangular lateral lobes.

Monorchis jaffreyana (King & Pantl.) O. Schwarz

 Plants 8–20 cm tall. Tuber oblong to ellipsoidal, 10–20 × 5–10 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved near the middle. Leaves alternate, oblong, 10–18 × 1–2 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 6–12 cm, rachis 10–14 cm, laxly upto 35-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 10–15 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2–5 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acuminate, nearly equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–4 mm across, greenish white. Pedicel and ovary 2–7 mm, straight, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate-elliptic, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals oblong, ca. 1.5–3 × 0.5–1 mm, free from dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip oblong, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose, 3-lobed above the middle, lateral lobes reduced or absent, ovate 0.5 × 0.5 mm, papery; mid-lobe triangular, 1–1.5 × 0.5 mm,  papery, apex acuminate; spur absent. Column 0.5–1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 2500–3300 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest and forest margins. 

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Monorchis josephi (Rchb.f.) O. Schwarz

 Plants 5–26 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, 10–15 × 5–10 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved below the middle. Leaves opposite or subopposite, oblong-elliptic, sphathulate or lanceolate, 2.5–10 × 0.5–2 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 6–20 cm, rachis 1.5–5 cm, secundly 3–25-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, ovate-triangular, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acute or acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 4–6 mm across, green to yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 4–6 mm, twisted, straight, apex beaked and hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 3–4.5 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, 3–4.5 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals falcately ovate-lanceolate, 3–3.5 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip ovate, 3–5 × 2–4 mm, base flat, entire, upper half fleshy, disk with 2 parallel longitudinal keels in basal half, apex acute; spur absent. Column 1–1.5 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya and E Asia

Altitudinal range: 2700–4600 m.

Ecology: Quercus forests and alpine meadows.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October. 

Plants 15–35 cm tall. Tubers globose or oblong, 10–15 × 5 mm. Stem stout, 2–3-leaved above the base. Leaves alternate, linear-oblong or narrowly laceolate, 10–20 × 0.5–10 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 20–24 cm, rachis 6–16 cm, laxly 20–32-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 15–20 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 6–10 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–4 mm across, green. Pedicel and ovary 6–9 mm, straight, apex slightly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 1.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals subfalcately oblong-lanceolate, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex subacute. Lip broadly ovate, 4–5 × 2–3 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose; 3-lobed above the middle; lateral lobes narrowly oblong, 1.5–2 × 0.5–1 mm, papery, apex acute; mid-lobe 1 × 0.5 mm, oblong,  papery, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 2200–2500 m

Ecology: Quercus forest and grassy slopes.

Flowering: August–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Ophrys lancea Thunb. ex Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 223 (1800); Aceras lanceum (Thunb. ex Sw.) Steud.; Monorchis minutiflora (Schltr.) O. Schwarz; Spiranthes lancea (Thunb. ex Sw.) Bakh. f. & Steenis

 Plants 10–66 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, globose or ellipsoid, 10–15 × 5–20 mm. Stem stout, 2–5-leaved near the middle. Leaves alternate, linear-lanceolate, 5–30 × 0.4–1.5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 5–40 cm, rachis 5–35 cm, laxly 10–100-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts linear-lanceolate, 5–15 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 4–12 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 3–10 mm, straight, apex slightly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 2–4 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 2–4 × 1–2 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Petals linear, 2–4 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip oblong, 4–8 × 1–2 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose, 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes linear, 2–6 × 0.5–1 mm, papery, apex sub-obtuse; mid-lobe oblong, 1 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 1–1.5 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalay, W Himalaya, C Asia, Assam-Burma and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 700–4700 m.

Ecology: Pine forests, grassland slopes.

Fllowering: June–October. Fruiting: September–October.

Platanthera latilabris Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 289 (1835); Habenella latilabris (Lindl.) Szlach. & Kras-Lap.

 Plants 15–68 cm tall. Tuber ellipsoid, 10–25 × 6–12 mm. Stem stout, 3–4-leaved near or below the middle. Leaves  alternate, ovate, 5–12 × 2–3.5 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 11–28 cm, rachis 4–30 cm, laxly 6–20-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts ovat-lanceolate, 10(–40) × 2.5(–10) mm, apex acute. Floral bracts lanceolate, 10–15 × 2 mm, apex acuminate, equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 8–10 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 10–15 mm, slightly twisted, arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 4–7 × 3–5 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-ovate, 5–8 × 3–4 mm, margin ciliate, apex obtuse. Petals obliquely oblong, 4–7 × 3–5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex subacute. Lip oblong-lingulate, 6–13 × 1–1.5 mm, base flat, entire, disk with a conic callus, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse; spur cylindric, pointing downwards, 8–18 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary. Column 5 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and W Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 1600–3700 m.

Ecology: Forest margins and grasslands slopes.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Plants 30–50 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, globose to oblong, 8–15 × 5–10 mm. Stem stout, 2–5-leaved near middle the middle. Leaves alternate, linear to oblong, 8–20 × 0.5–1.5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 8–30 cm; rachis 5–18 cm, laxly 20–50-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 5–15 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2–5 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–4 mm across, pale green. Pedicel and ovary 4–7 mm, straight, apex shortly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 1.5–2 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex sub-acute. Lateral sepal ovate, 2–5 × 1–2 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Petals lanceolate, 2 × 1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex subacute. Lip oblong, 5–11 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, containing a callus at base, 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes 10 mm, more than 10 times longer than the mid-lobe, filiform, coiled,  papery, apex sub-acute; mid-lobe lanceolate, 1–1.5 mm, papery, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2500–2800 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest and forest margins.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

 Notes: Herminium longilobatum is very similar to H. lanceum but in H. longilobatum the lateral lobes of the lip are much longer and the lip often has a callus at the base.

Monorchis mackinnonii (Duthie) O. Schwarz

 Plants 15–30 cm tall. Tuber oblong, 7–15 × 5–12 mm. Stem slender, 2-leaved near middle the middle. Leaves alternate, linear-lanceolate, 10–16 × 1–1.5 cm, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 10–20 cm, rachis 10–15 cm, laxly 20–60-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 5–15 × 2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts broadly lanceolate, 5–10 × 1 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 5–10 mm across. Pedicel and ovary 4–6 mm, straight, apex slightly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong, 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-oblong, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Petals linear-lanceolate, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, free from dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip oblong, 1.5–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, 3-lobed above the middle; lateral lobes linear, 1 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex acute; mid-lobe lanceolate, 1–1.5 × 0.5 mm,  papery, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal and W Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 2400–2700 m.

Habitats: Terrestrial or epiphytic on trunk or large branches of Quercus trees.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Neottia macrophylla D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 27 (1825); Herminium congestum Lindl.; Peristylus macrophyllus (D. Don) Lawkush, V. Kumar & Bankoti,

Plants 8–25 cm tall. Tubers ovoid, 6–15 × 5–10 mm. Stem slender, 2–3-leaved at the base. Leaves opposite or alternate, oblong-elliptic or oblanceolate, 3–10 × 0.6–2 cm, apex subacute to obtuse. Inflorescence 6–15 cm, rachis 2–9 cm, laxly 6–25-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts (occasionally absent), linear-lanceolate, 30 × 2–3 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, ca. 1–4 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acute, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–4 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 3–6 mm, twisted, straight, apex beaked and hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 0.5–2 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong, 1.5–2 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex acute. Petals obliquely ovate-triangular, 1.5–2 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, fleshy, apex acute. Lip ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–3 × 0.5–1 mm, base globose saccate, concave, containing warty callii but not parrallal keels (smooth), obscurely 3-lobed near the apex; lateral lobes semi-elliptic, ca. 1 × 0.5 mm, slightly fleshy, mid-lobe ovate-triangular, ca. 1 × 1 mm, fleshy, apex acute; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and W Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 3400–4700 m

Ecology: Quercus-Abies forests, alpine meadows.

Flowering: June–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Coeloglossum manni Rchb.f., Linnaea 41: 54 (1876); Peristylus mannii (Rchb.f.) Mukherjee, Platanthera mannii (Rchb.f.) Schltr.

Plants 10–43 cm tall. Tubers oblong, 10–25 × 5–10 cm. Stem slender, 2–4-leaved at the base. Leaves subopposite or opposite to alternate, linear, 3–14 × 0.2–0.4 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescence 10–37 cm, rachis 4–16 cm, laxly 6–10-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 10–20 × 2–3 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 6–10 × 1.5–2 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 2–5 mm, twisted and arcuate, apex shortly beaked, slightly hooked or rarely not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 2–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong-lingulate, 2–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, ca. 2–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, upper half fleshy, apex obtuse. Lip oblong-ovate, 2.5–3 × 0.5–1 mm, base deeply concave, ecallose, furcately 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes oblong, 0.5–1.5 mm, fleshy, apex obtuse; mid-lobe oblong, 1–2 mm, fleshy, apex obtuse; spur scrotiform, 1–1.5 mm, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Column 0.5–1 mm.  Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and E Asia.

Altitudinal range: 1700–3400 m.

Ecology: Subtropical to temperate forest and grasslands slopes.

Flowering: August–October. Fruiting: September–October.

Neottia monophylla D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 27 (1825); Herminium gramineum Lindl.

Plants 6–15 cm tall. Tuber globose, 5–15 × 4–6 mm. Stem slender, 1 leaf at the base. Leaf linear-oblong, 3.5–5.5 × 0.3–0.6 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 4–10 cm, rachis 2–6 cm, laxly 3–19-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 3–8 × 1–1.5 mm,  apex acuminate, equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary, apex 3-lobed or rarely unlobed. Flowers 4–7 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 3–4.5 mm, slightly twisted, not arcuate, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate-oblong, 2–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate, 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals ovate-triangular, 2–2.5 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, upper half fleshy, apex obtuse. Lip ovate, 2–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, base concave, entire, ecallose, apex obtuse; slightly fleshy; spur absent. Column 2–4 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal and W Himalaya.

Altitudinal range: 1000–2000 m.

Ecology: Open forest or forest margins.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Ophrys monorchis L., Sp. Pl.: 947 (1753); Monorchis herminium O. Schwarz; Orchis monorchis (L.) Crantz

Plants 5–38 cm tall. Tubers globose, 5–10 × 4–10 mm. Stem slender, 2–3-leaved near or above the base. Leaves subopposite, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 2–13 × 0.5–2.9 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 3–38 cm, rachis 2–24 cm, sublaxly 5–30-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts ovate-lanceolate, 5–15 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 4–6 × 1–1.5 mm, apex acuminate, shorter than pedicel and ovary.  Flowers 3–5 mm across, yellowish green. Pedicel and ovary 3–7 mm, twisted, straight, apex beaked and beaked. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepal obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex subacute. Petals falcately rhombic-caudate, 2.5–4.5 × 1–1.5 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, upper half fleshy, apex acute. Lip oblong, 2–5 × 1–1.5 mm, base concave, ecallose, 3-lobed near the middle; lateral lobes linear-triangular, 1–1.5 × 0.5 mm, fleshy, apex acute; mid-lobe linear-triangular, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, fleshy, apex acute; spur absent. Column 0.5–1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya, E Asia, N Asia, Europe.

Altitudinal range: 600–4700 m.

Ecology: Temperate forest, subalpine and alpine meadows.   

Flowering: June–August. Fruiting: September–October.

Androcorys pugioniformis (Lindl. ex Hook. f.) K. Y. Lang; Herminium nivale Schltr.; Monorchis pugioniformis (Lindl. ex Hook.f.) O. Schwarz

Plants 5–20 cm tall. Tuber globose, 5–8 × 4–8 mm. Stem slender, 1 leaf at the base. Leaf oblong-sphathulate or oblong-oblanceolate, 2–4 × 0.4–1 cm, apex obtuse. Inflorescence 3–10 cm, rachis 1–4 cm, laxly 4–15-flowered; peduncle rigded. Sterile bracts absent. Floral bracts ovate, ca. 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acute, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 1–1.5 mm across, green. Pedicel and ovary 3–5 mm, twisted, straight, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal broadly elliptic-orbicular, 1.5–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely obovate to elliptic, 1.5–2 × 1–1.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals obliquely obovate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip narrowly ligulate-oblong, 1.5–2 × 0.5–1 mm, entire, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose, slightly fleshy, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 0.5–1 mm. Capsule fusiform.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya, W Himalaya and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2700–5200 m.

Ecology: Subalpine and alpine grasslands slopes.

Flowering: July–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Monorchis quinqueloba (King & Pantl.) O. Schwarz

Plants 15–30 cm tall. Tubers oblong to subglobose, 15–30 × 5–10 mm. Stem slender, 2–3-leaved near the middle. Leaves subopposite to alternate, linear-lanceolate, 10–17 × 1–2.5 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 10–20 cm, rachis 10–15 cm, laxly 15–36-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 20 × 2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 2–5 × 1–2 mm, apex acuminate, equal or shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 3–4 mm across, greenish white. Pedicel and ovary 2–10 mm, straight, apex beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, 2–3.5 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, margin entire, apex subacute. Petals linear, ca. 1.5–3.5 × 0.5–1 mm, free from dorsal sepal, papery, apex acute. Lip oblong, 2–3.5 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose; 5-lobed; basal and lateral lobes triangular, ca. 1 × 0.5 mm,  papery, apex acute; mid-lobe oblong-triangular, 1.5 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex acuminate; spur absent. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2100–3000 m.

Ecology: Quercus forest and forest margins.

Flowering: August–September. Fruiting: September–October.

Herminium angustifolium var. souliei Finet, Rev. Gen. Bot. 13: 518 (1901).

Plants 8–38 cm tall. Tubers oblong-ellipsoid, 8–25 × 5–15 mm. Stem stout, 2–4-leaved above the base. Leaves alternate, linear to lanceolate, 4–20 × 0.5–1.5 cm, apex acute. Inflorescence 5–25 cm, rachis 2.5–20 cm, laxly 15–35-flowered; peduncle cylindric. Sterile bracts lanceolate, 5–15 × 2 mm, apex acuminate. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 2–6 × 0.5–1 mm, apex acuminate, equal, shorter than pedicel and ovary. Flowers 2–3 mm across, pale green. Pedicel and ovary 5–10 mm, straight, apex shortly beaked, not hooked. Dorsal sepal ovate, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2.5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Petals linear, 2–3 × 0.5–1 mm, hooded with dorsal sepal, papery, apex obtuse. Lip oblong, 2.5–4.5 × 0.5–1 mm, base dilated, shallowly concave, ecallose, 3-lobed above the middle; lateral lobes linear-falcate, 1–2 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex sub-acute; mid-lobe oblong-lanceolate, 0.5 × 0.5 mm, papery, apex obtuse; spur absent. Column 1 mm. Capsule oblong.

Distribution: Nepal and C Asia.

Altitudinal range: 1400–4200 m.

Ecology: Subtropical, temperate and alpine grassland slopes.

Flowering: July–August. Fruiting: September–October.

 Notes: Herminium souliei is similar to H. lanceum, but H. souliei is shorter in stature, its lip is flatter and its lateral lobes are much shorter.