Habenaria biermanniana King & Pantl., J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 64(3):343 (1896); Platanthera biermanniana (King & Pantl.) Kraenzl.

Plants 12–25 cm tall. Tuber cylindric-ovate or ovoid, 7–18 × 3–6 mm. Stem with 2 or 3 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 1–3 cm. Leaves 3 or 4, somewhat spaced along the stem, sessile, elliptic-lanceolate, 1.5–6 × 0.4–1.3 cm, acute, 3-veined, margin entire. Inflorescence 7–15 cm, spike 4–12 cm, laxly few- to many-flowered. Sterile bract usually 1, lanceolate, 1.1–2.5 × 0.2–0.4 cm, acute, acuminate, foliaceous, sometimes absent. Floral bracts lanceolate, 8–15 × 2–3 mm, as long as or slightly exceeding pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers green, 2–3 mm across, pedicel and ovary slender, 7–9 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, 3–4 × 1–2 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, oblong, as long as or slightly longer than dorsal sepal, 4–5 × ca. 1 mm, curved upwards, obtuse. Petals lanceolate, ca. 3 × 1 mm, shorter than sepals, curved upwards, acute. Lip linear-oblong, 2–3 mm, obscurely 3-lobed. Spur clavate, pendulous, ca. 2-3 mm. Column 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.

 Altitudinal range: 2,300–3,000 m.

 Ecology: In mossy Rhododendron forest on mossy soil.

 Flowering: August–September.

Glossula calcarata Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1913(4):145 (1913)

Plants ca. 24 cm tall. Tuber oblong-ellipsoid. 8 × 5 mm. Stem with 2 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 12–15 mm. Leaves 2, somewhat spaced along the stem, upper one smaller, sessile lanceolate, 3–7.5 × 0.8–1.5 cm, acute, 3-veined, margin entire Inflorescence ca. 16 cm, spike ca. 5 cm, sub-densely many-flowered. Sterile bracts 6, lanceolate, 5–10 × 2–3 mm, diminishing upwards, acute, acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, ca. 5 × 2 mm, as long as or slightly shorter than pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers yellowish green, 2 mm across, pedicel and ovary slender, ca. 6 mm. Dorsal and lateral sepals equal, ovate, ca. 3 × 1.5 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate, ca. 3 × 1.5 mm, obtuse. Petals ovate, as long as sepals, obtuse. Lip deeply 3-lobed, lateral lobes filiform, much longer than mid-lobe, spreading upwards, mid-lobe oblong, broader, obtuse or round apex. Spur ovate, sub-globose, ca. 1 mm. Column ca. 1mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal, E Asia and SE Asia.

 Altitudinal range: 1,900–2,000 m.

 Ecology: In grassland, on humus-covered slopes.

 Flowering: August–September.

Herminium constrictum Lindl., Bot. Reg. 18 (1832); Habenaria constricta (Lindl. ex. Wall.)  Hook.f.; Orchis leucantha Buch.-Ham. ex. Wall.; Platanthera constricta Lindl. ex. Wall.

 Plants 40–70 cm tall. Tuber cylindric-oblong, 4–5 × 1.5–2 cm. Stem slender with 4–6 overlapping tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 5 cm. Leaves 4–6, alternate, clustered near middle of the stem, sessile, ovate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 4–13 × 3–6.5 cm, acute, 5-veined, margin entire. Inflorescence 25–34 cm, spike 15–19 cm, slender, sub-densely to laxly many-flowered. Sterile bracts 3–13, lanceolate, 10–20 × 1–3 mm, acuminate, lower foliaceous. Floral bracts lanceolate, 5–18 × 1–2 mm, longer than the pedicel andovary, acuminate. Flowers white, 1.6–2.5 mm across, pedicel and ovary narrow, 9–10 mm. Dorsal sepal brownish, oblong-lanceolate, 7–9 × 2–3 mm, sub-acute. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, 9–10 × 2–4 mm, sub-acute, spreading. Petals pure white, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 8.5–10 × 2.5–5 mm, sub-acute. Lip pure white, oblong-obovate, 10–14 × 4–5 mm, 3-lobed near middle, lateral lobes linear-lanceolate, weakly falcate, 6–7 mm, acute, diverging, much longer than mid-lobe, mid-lobe triangular, oblong-lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, obtuse, tapering, broader than lateral lobes. Spur globose to sub-globose, pendulous, ca. 2 mm, compressed. Column 0.8–1.1 mm. Capsule not seen.

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

 Altitudinal range: 500–1,600 m.

 Ecology: Open slopes or on the shaded floor of forests.

 Used medicinally and as food.

Coeloglossum densum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. [Fasc. 13]:302 (1835); Habenaria stenostachya (Lindl.) Benth.; Peristylus stenostachyus (Lindl.) Kraenzl.; Platanthera stenostachya Lindl.

Plants 33–36 cm tall. Tuber sub-globose to ovoid-oblong, ca. 2 × 1 cm. Stem with 3 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 1.5–5 cm. Leaves 4, rarely 5, widely spaced along the stem, sessile, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, 3.5–7 × 0.7–3 cm, acute, distinctly 3-veined, margin entire. Inflorescence 10–30 cm, spike 5–11 cm, laxly to sub-densely 5–9-flowered. Sterile bracts 1–3, lanceolate, 2.2–2.5 × 0.3–0.7 cm, diminishing upwards, acuminate, sometimes foliaceous. Floral bracts lanceolate, 9–12 × 2–3 mm, longer than the pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers green, ca. 8 mm across, pedicel and ovary 5–7 mm. Dorsal sepal elliptic-lanceolate, 4 × 1.5 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, 4 × 1 mm, acute, spreading, turned downwards. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 4 × 1.3 mm, obtuse. Lip ca. 4 mm, deeply 3-lobed, lateral lobes linear, ca. 1.5 mm, spreading horizontally, mid-lobe oblong, ca. 2 mm, round apex, much broader than lateral lobes. Spur cylindric-oblong, pendulous, ca. 2 mm, apex slightly 2-lobed. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

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

 Altitudinal range: 2,100–2,800 m.

 Ecology: In open fields.

 Flowering: August–October.

Habenaria goodyeroides D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.:25 (1825); Herminium goodyeroides (D.Don) Lindl.; Platanthera goodyeroides (D.Don) J.E.Vidal

Plants 30–78 cm tall. Tuber cylindric-oblong to ellipsoid, 2–4.5 × ca. 1 cm. Stem with 3–7 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 2–7 cm. Leaves 3–5, clustered at the middle of stem, sessile, ovate to oblong-elliptic, 2.5–15 × 1.2–7.4 cm, acute, narrowed and shortly sheathing at base, 5 or 6 veined, margin entire. Inflorescence 12–34 cm, spike 8–12 cm, sub-densely or densely many-flowered. Sterile bracts 2–7, lanceolate, 1–5.5 × 0.2–2.4 cm, acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 7–16 × 1–3 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers yellowish-green to dirty white, ca. 5 mm across, mildly sweet-scented, pedicel and ovary narrow, slender, 5–15 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate-lanceolate, concave, 3–7 × 2–4 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals ovate-lanceolate, 3.5–6 × 1.7–2 mm, acute to obtuse, spreading. Petals oblong-lanceolate, 3–5 × 3–4.4 mm, obtuse or acute. Lip oblong-obovate, 4.5–5.5 × ca. 3.5 mm, 3-lobed near apex, lateral lobes oblong, linear-lanceolate, acute to obtuse, diverging, equal or slightly longer than mid-lobe, mid-lobe oblong, round apex, broader than lateral lobes. Spur globose, pendulous, 1–2 mm, grooved at the middle. Column ca. 2 mm. Capsule not seen.

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

 Altitudinal range: 200–3,600 m.

 Ecology: In Pinus roxburghii forest, roadsides, open or shady slopes and moist ground.

 Flowering: May–September.

 The flowers are sweetly scented.

Used medicinally.

Habenaria hamiltoniana (Lindl.) Hook.f.; Orchis micranthema Buch.-Ham. ex. Wall.

Plants 25–35cm tall. Tuber ovoid to cylindric, ca. 13 × 8 mm. Stem with 3–5 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 1.5–4.5 cm. Leaves 5 or 6, clustered around the middle of stem, sessile, broadly ovate-lanceolate, 3–6.5 × 0.5–2.5 cm, acuminate, acute, 3-veined, margin crenulate. Inflorescence 6 –15 cm, spike 3–10 cm, densely many-flowered. Sterile bracts 2, lanceolate, ca. 11 × 2 mm. Floral bracts lanceolate, 11 × 2 mm, longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers white, ca. 4 mm across, pedicel and ovary ca. 5 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong, 2.5–4 × ca. 1 mm, obtuse, erect. Lateral sepals oblong, similar to dorsal sepal, 2.5–4 × ca. 1 mm, obtuse. Petals broadly oblong, as long as sepals, obtuse, partially adnate to lip. Lip 3-lobed near apex, 1–1.5 mm, lateral lobes ovate-orbicular, slightly shorter than the mid-lobe, diverging, mid-lobe ovate-orbicular, obtuse, broader than lateral lobes.. Spur saccate, globose, pendulous, 1.5–2 mm. Column ca. 0.6 mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal, E Himalaya and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 2,000–2,500 m.

Ecology: Riverine Pinus wallichii-dominated open forest and on open grass slopes.

Flowering: July–August.

Habenaria intrudens Ames, Schedul. Orchid. 6:1 (1923)

Plants ca. 25cm tall. Tuber fleshy ovoid. 10 × 15 mm Stem erect, cylindrical with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths at base. Leaves 3, clustered near base of the stem, sessile, lanceolate, 3.5–6 × 0.8–1.2 cm, acute, 4- or 5-veined, prominent mid-vein, margin entire. Inflorescence 10–15 cm, spike 4cm, laxly few-flowered. Sterile bracts 5, lanceolate, ca. 15 × 3 mm, acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, ca. 10X 2 mm, as long as or shorter than the pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers white, ca. 3 mm across, pedicel and ovary ca. 8–10 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong-ovate, ca. 3 × 1.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, ca. 2.5 × 1 mm, acute. Petals as long as and similar to sepals, ca. 2.5 × 1 mm, acute. Lip oblong-ovate, ca. 2.5 mm, 3-lobed, lateral lobes triangular, shorter than mid-lobe, mid-lobe ovate, obtuse. Spur ovoid, 1 mm. Column 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal, Assam-Burma, S Asia, E Asia and SE Asia.

Altitudinal range: 800–900 m.

Ecology: Humid slopes, growing in partial shade.

Coeloglossum lacertiferum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. [Fasc. 13]:302 (1835); Coeloglossum acuminatum Lindl.; Habenaria lacertifera (Lindl.) Benth.

Plants 25–40 cm tall. Tuber ellipsoid, ca. 15 × 6 mm. Stem slender, glabrous, bracteate with 1 or 2 tubular sheaths below leaves. Leaves 2 or 3, basal, sessile, linear-oblong or sub-elliptic, 5–10 × 1–2 cm, acute, 4- or 5-veined, prominent mid-vein, margin entire. Inflorescence 10–21 cm, spike 10–12 cm, slender, laxly many-flowered. Sterile bracts 4 or 5, linear-lanceolate, 10 × 2mm, acuminate. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, 10 × 2 mm, as long as or slightly shorter than pedicel and ovary, acuminate, clasping. Flowers uniformly green, 3–4 mm across, pedicel and ovary slender, straight, 6–10 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong, ca. 2.5 × 1–1.5 mm, obtuse. Lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, 2.3–3 × 1–1.5 mm, slightly oblique, 1-veined, acute. Petals as long as and similar sepals, ca. 2.3 × 1 mm, acute. Lip 1.5 × 0.6 mm, 3-lobed, fleshy, with callus at base, lateral lobes linear, ca. 1 mm, acuminate, divergent, mid-lobe oblong, 0.5–0.8 mm, shorter than the lateral lobes, obtuse. Spur ovoid, 1 × 0.5 mm, shortly stalked. Column 1–1.5 mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal, Assam-Burma, S Asia, E Asia and SE Asia.

 Altitudinal range: 200–3,200 m.

 Ecology: Forests and grassy slopes.

 Flowering: September.

Habenaria lawii (Wight) Hook.f.

Plants 17–26 cm tall. Tuber ellipsoid to cylindric, ca. 15 × 8 mm. Stem slender, glabrous, with 3–5 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 2.5 cm. Leaves 3–5, clustered near the middle of stem, sessile, linear-lanceolate, 3–12.5 × 0.5–1 cm, membranous, acute, 3-veined, prominent mid-vein, entire. Inflorescence 6–11.5 cm, spike 4.5–9.5 cm, laxly many-flowered. Sterile bracts 2–3, linear-lanceolate, 9–19 × 1–2 mm. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, 7–11 × 1–3 mm,longer than pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers uniformly white, 5 mm across, pedicel and ovary ca. 6 mm. Dorsal sepal oblong, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, ovate, obtuse. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, subfalcately linear-oblong, 2–3 × 1.3 mm, obtuse. Petals broadly oblong, 2–3 × 1.5 mm, fleshy, obtuse. Lip broadly or obtusely 3-lobed, 2.8 × 2 mm, lateral lobes oblong-linear, ca. 1.3 mm, sub-acute, shorter than mid-lobe, mid-lobe oblong-ovate, round apex, broader and slightly longer than lateral lobes. Spur globose-saccate, 1–2 mm. Column 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

Distribution: Nepal, W Himalaya, Assam-Burma and S Asia.

Altitudinal range: 400–1,000 m.

Ecology: Open grassland.

Flowering: August–September

Habenaria parishii (Rchb.f.) Hook.f.

Terrestrial or lithophytic herbs, 30–60 cm. Tuber ellipsoid to cylindric, ca. 4 × 1.3–2 cm. Stem slender, sparsely hairy, with 2 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 15 mm. Leaves 4 or 5, rarely 3, clustered near the middle of stem, petiolate, elliptic-lanceolate to ovate, 4–8 × 2–4 cm, acute, distinctly 5-veined, entire. Inflorescence 4.5–20 cm, spike slender, laxly to sub-densely many-flowered. Sterile bract 1, lanceolate, long, 11 × 3 mm. Floral bracts small, oblong-lanceolate, 8-10 mm, exceeding the pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers green, ca. 5 mm across, pedicel and ovary ca. 8 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate, 4–6 × 1.5–2 mm, acute. Lateral sepals oblong, 4–6 × ca. 1.5 mm, obtuse. Petals ovate-oblong, 2–4 × 1.8 mm, obtuse. Lip ovate, 4–5 × ca. 2 mm, 3-lobed near apex, lateral lobes obtuse-oblong, ca. 1mm, mid-lobe ca. 1.5 mm, broader and longer than lateral lobes, obtuse. Spur clavate or fusiform, 1–2 mm, neck constricted. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

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

 Altitudinal range: 600–2,000 m.

 Ecology: Open places.

 This species is currently known in Nepal only from Baker et al. 122 (KATH) from Ganesh Himal. This is a diminutive specimen and the description is based on non-Nepalese material.

Habenaria prainii Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6[17]:159 (1890)

Plants (9–)18–50 cm tall. Tubers rarely 2, ellipsoid to cylindric, ca. 3 × 1.3 cm. Stem slender, with 2–5 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths 2.5–4.5 cm. Leaves usually 4, occasionally 3 or 5, clustered near middle of the stem, sessile, oblong to ovate-oblong, 3–7 × 1–2.2 cm, acute, 5-veined, crenulate. Inflorescence 9–20 cm, spike slender, 5–10.5 cm, laxly to sub-densely many-flowered. Sterile bracts 1–3, lanceolate, 0.9–2.2 × 0.1–0.4 cm, acuminate. Floral bracts oblong-lanceolate, 5–8 × 1–2 mm, longer than ovary, acuminate. Flowers uniformly white, ca. 5–8 mm across, pedicel and ovary 3–4 mm. Dorsal sepal ovate, 3–4 × 1.5–2.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals oblong-ovate, 3–4 × 1.5–2.5 mm, obtuse. Petals oblong, as long as sepals, apiculate, fleshy, obtuse. Lip oblong, 3–5 × 2–3.5 mm, 3-lobed near apex, lateral lobes oblong, ca. 1.6 mm, apex acute, slightly shorter than mid-lobe, mid-lobe somewhat triangular, ca. 2 mm, broader than lateral lobes, obtuse. Spur saccate-globose, pendulous, 1–2 mm, base broadly clawed. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

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

 Altitudinal range: 1,200–2,100 m.

 Ecology: Open places, pasture.

 Flowering: July–August.

 Although the flowers of Nepalese material are uniformly white, in Bhutanese specimens have uniformly brownish green flowers.

Habenaria tipulifera Parish & Rchb.f., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 30:139 (1874)

Plants 15–60 cm tall. Tuber cylindric-ovoid, ca. 20 × 4–5 mm. Stem slender, with 1–3 tubular sheaths at base, sheaths ca. 2.5 cm. Leaves 2–4, clustered near base or somewhat spaced along the stem, sessile, lanceolate-oblong, 2–10.2 × 0.4–1.5 cm, acute, distinctly 3-veined,entire. Inflorescence 15–22 cm, spike slender, 5–12 cm, laxly few- to many-flowered. Sterile bracts 1–4, lanceolate, 1–17 × 2 mm, diminishing upwards, acute, acuminate. Floral bracts lanceolate, 6–8 × 1–3 mm, exceeding or as long as the pedicel and ovary, acuminate. Flowers green, ca. 6 mm across, pedicel and ovary slender, narrow, 7–10 mm. Dorsal sepal, ovate, 3–4 × ca. 1.5 mm, acute. Lateral sepals, lanceolate, 3–3.5 × 1–1.5 mm, obtuse to sub-acute. Petals green, as long as sepals, oblong, 3.5–4 × 1–1.5 mm, falcate, obtuse. Lip ca. 4 mm, 3-lobed, red spots present inside, lateral lobes filiform, long, linear, 5–6 × 0.2 mm, spreading gradually, curved upwards, mid-lobe 2–3 mm, broader with obtuse apex, much shorter than lateral lobes. Spur clavate, curved and shorter than sepals, 2–3 mm, weakly 2-lobed. Column ca. 1 mm. Capsule not seen.

 Distribution: Nepal and E Himalaya.

 Altitudinal range: 1,700–2,400 m.

 Ecology:  Grassland, base of cliffs.

 Flowering: August–September.