Disperis fayi Szlach. & Kowalk., Polish Bot. J. 53: 1 (2008).
Description:
Tubers 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter, globose to ovoid, hairy. Stem 14–17 cm tall, slender, erect. Leaves 2, alternate, up to 2.5 cm long and 2 cm wide, ovate-cordate, acute to shortly acuminate at the apex, dark green above with white venation, purple on undersurface. Infl orescence 2–3-fl owered, short, subumbellate. Floral bracts up to 13 mm long, leafl ike, shortly acuminate. Ovary up to 18 mm long, erect. Dorsal sepal 8 mm long, 0.9 mm wide, linear-lanceolate, acute. Petals 8.5 mm long, 2.8 mm wide, obliquely oblong elliptic-ovate, subobtuse. Lateral sepals 14 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, obliquely broadly ovate, subacute, with very small, obscure sacs near the base, connate together on the basal 2 mm. Lip 4 mm long in total, claw 1 mm long, linear, limb 2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, rotundate-elliptic, obtuse at the apex, densely ciliate-papillate on the upper surface, provided with an appendage 1 mm long at the base of the limb, subquadrate, erect, stiff, truncate at the apex.
Etymology:
Dedicated to John Fay who first collected the specimen that originated the description of this species.
Notes:
From all other species known in the study area, Disperis fayi differs in lip structure – the claw is scarcely 1 mm long, the limb is rotundate-elliptic and possesses a basal, subquadrate projection.
Habitat:
Terrestrial on thin gravelly clay loam on quartzite outcrop, saturated in wet season, dense primary vegetation on steep E-facing slope, with Anogeissus leiocarpa Guill. & Perr., Maranthes kerstingii (Engl.) Prance ex F. White and Adianthum spp. Alt. 600 m.Flowering in August.
Distribution:
Central African Rep
