What is "stelis"

n. any of various small tropical American orchids of the genus Stelis having long slender racemes of numerous small to minute flowers

Leach orchids ( genus Stelis) is a large group of orchids, with perhaps 500 species. The generic name Stelis is the Greek word for ' mistletoe', referring to the epiphytic habit of these species. These mainly epiphytic (rarely lithophytic) plants are widely distributed throughout much of South America, Central America, Mexico, the West Indies and Florida.

Many of the older species were named by Lindley, Ruiz & Pavon and Reichenbach, while many of the recent species were named by Dr. C. Luer. An orchid of the genus Stelis was probably the first American orchid ever to be brought to Europe. An herbarium specimen was depicted in 1591 in Tabernaemontanus' herbal book.