The subtribe in the strict sense, have viscidia and stipes that are thin and strap-like, they are adapted for attachment to edge of the bee's scutellum or to a leg.

Unpollinated flowers quickly abscise and fall from the inflorescence, unlike members of Coeliopsidinae which include Coeliopsis, Lycomormium, and Peristeria.

Within Stanhopeinae the members can be further grouped in six clades based on morphological traits and molecular analysis.

The genus Archivea is only known by a watercolor painting by T. Duncanson in the herbarium archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

All species in this subtribe are exclusively pollinated by male euglossine bees, which are attracted to the floral fragrances, and collect them.