8. Microtis, R. Br.

Glabrous terrestrial herbs; root of rounded tubers on fleshy fibres. Leaf solitary, long, narrow, terete, opened out near the stem and then continuous with the closed sheath. Flowers small, green, numerous, densely spicate, usually spreading or reflexed. Upper sepal erect, broad, concave, incurved; lateral lanceolate or oblong, spreading or recurved. Petals similar to the lateral sepals or smaller. Lip sessile at the base of the column, spreading, oblong, obtuse, truncate or 2-lobed, usually with calli near the base. Column very short, almost terete, upper part with 2 auricles or wings. Anther terminal, erect, 2-celled; pollinia 4, powdery.

The genus consists of 6 species inhabiting Australia, one of them extending-to New Zealand. A seventh species has also been described from the Malay Archipelago. The genus has the habit and general appearance of Prasophyllum, but differs in the flowers not being reversed, and in the auricles of the column.