The subgenus Pleuranthium of the genus Epidendrum of the Orchidaceae is distinguished from the other subgenera by having lateral inflorescences on the reed-like stems of the sympodial plant. With the exception of subgenus Psilanthemum <small>Klotzsch</small>, all of the remaining subgenera produce terminal inflorescences.
H. G. Reichenbach recognized four species in this subgenus. Kew has concluded that one of these, E. pileatum, is a synonym for E. dendrobii (page numbers refer to H. G. Reichenbach 1861):