SUBGENUS Empusella Luer 1986
A montypic subgenus characterized by narrowly obovate, coriaceous leaves that gradually taperinto a petillate base and is much longer than the abbreviated ramicaul. A ramcaoe inflorescence arises from an annulus below the abscission layer The peduncle and floral bracts are laterally compressed and the inflroescence gradually lengthens over time as the large fleshy, rigid flowers successively arise. The essentialy free sepals are markedly verrucose within and vary in color from green to orange to red-purple. The petals are oblong, minutely verrucose and arise from the sides of the broad column foot. The winged column is denticulate and the ventral anther is hooded and have 2 pyriform pollina.
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