Rhopalocnemis Jungh.

Dioecious or monoecious plant. A large basal tuber develops at the point of contact with the host root; surface of tuber irregularly corrugated; tuber starchy. Inflorescence-bearing stem breaking through the outer tissues of the tuber, which in turn forms a conspicuous, by tearing irregularly lobed sheath around the base of the stem. Stem leafless or with spirally arranged, slightly recurved warty scales. Inflorescences spadix-like, unisexual or bisexual, at first covered by the flattened, marginally cohering tops of polygonate, peltate scales (Fig. 3); central area of scale often developing a wart or a slightly recurved structure much resembling the scales on lower part of stem; scales caducous in flakes at anthesis. ♂ Flowers with a tubular perianth splitting irregularly or apparently in 4 lobes. Stamens forming a columnar synandrium with the anthers united into a head containing 20-30 thecae in 2-3 layers. ♀ Flowers with perianth adnate to the ovary and forming 2 low crests at the top of the ovary, one anterior and one posterior, alternating with the caducous styles. Stigma conspicuous, capitate. Ovary slightly compressed in anterior-posterior direction.