English: Urchin orchids.
Chinese: Xian lan shu.
Synonym: Eria hyacinthoides
Name: Greek word bryon meaning "moss" and bios meaning "life".
Region: tropical Asia to northern Australia.
BotanyHerb; epiphytic or lithophytic.
Roots: thread-like.
Stem: large fleshy pseudobulbs, covered by papery bracts when young.
Leaves: three leathery.
Flowers: small, often hairy; white, cream-coloured or pinkish; do not open widely; last for up to a few days; dorsal sepal is free but the lateral sepals are fused to the base of the column; petals are free from each other and usually smaller than the sepals; labellum often has three lobes, in which case the side lobes are erect.