(Greek, like Eria, an orchid of the Epi-dendrum tribe, which it resembles when not in flower). Orchidaceae. Five or six South American orchids of the Vanda tribe allied to Acacallis and Warrea, requiring coolhouse treatment as given to Cattleya; epiphytes.

Leaves 2 or 3, long, plicate: racemes 2 or 3, basal; flowers open, small, but showy, maxillaria-like; lip 3-lobed, the lateral lobes broad and erect and inclosing the column, the middle lobe small and spreading and sometimes 2-lobed. - About half a dozen species in S. Amer.

Biloba

Lindl. Pseudobulbs 3 in. long: leaves lanceolate: flowers 1 in. across; sepals and petals yellow, with orange-red margins; labellum yellow spotted with brown. Colombia. B.R. 33:18.

Rutidobulbon

Hook. Stouter in habit than the above: pseudobulbs wrinkled, dark-colored: racemes drooping; sepals and petals orange-yellow, with deeper colored margins; labellum white, with purple spots. Antioquia, in exposed positions on the stems of palms. Peru. B.M. 4437.

Helenae, Kranzl. Said to be the finest in the genus. It differs greatly in habit from the other members; the pseudobulbs (standing 16 in. high) somewhat resemble those of Epidendrum Brassavolae, but are much stronger, and bear 3 long, coriaceous dark glossy green linear-lanceolate leaves The flowers are twice as large as those of E. biloba, and are borne on tall, arching scapes. The sepals and petals are orange-colored, margined with purple, the lip similar, but with a yellow blotch, spotted with purple at the base. Peru.

E. Fuerstenbergii, Kranzl. Racemes up to 12 in. long; flowers about 1 3/4 in. across; sepals and petals brown outside, orange with brown border inside; lip whitish, densely dotted with purple.

Oakes Ames.