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Disperis circumflexa (L.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 118 (1894).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Ophrys circumflexa L., Pl. Rar. Afr.: 27 (1760).
Orchis circumflexa (L.) Bolus, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 19: 346 (1882).
Description:
An erect slender glabrous herb, 8-20 cm. high; stem subflexuous, bifoliate at base; leaves erect, subapproximate or distant, sheathing at base, linear acute, 5-10 cm. long ; spike laxly 2-10 fl., flowers ascending ; bracts leaf-like, enwrapping the ovary, lanceolate acute, the lower ones much longer than the flowers, the upper ones becoming gradually smaller, equalling the ovary; lateral sepals divaricate, obliquely lanceolate in outline, 0,7-0,8 cm. long, spurred in the middle, the spurs subquadrate, 0,2 cm. long; odd sepal, erect, deflexed at the apex, acuminate, depressed galeate, obtusely saccate at the back; petals adhering to the galea, falcate, shortly unguiculate, semi-ovate acuminate, 0,6 cm. long; lip erect linear, the appendix 2partite, anterior segment projecting forward and decurved, ascending at the apex, ovate acute concave, papillose within, posterior segment incumbent over the rostellum, ascending at the apex, hispid linear obtuse; rostellum convex, the gland-bearing arms subdivaricate twisted; stigma 2 partite, placed behind the rostellary arms.
Habitat:
Found from the Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape to Riversdale in the Western Cape; in low fynbos and renosterveld on sandy, clay or granitic soils at 100-700 (-1000) m.
Phenology:
Flowering mainly from August to September.
Notes:
The species is pollinated by the oil-collecting bees Rediviva longimanus and Rediviva peringueyi (Steiner 1989).
Key to the subspecies of Disperis circumflexa (L.) T.Durand & Schinz
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
South Africa (Western and Northern Cape).
References:
A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), ADANSONIA, sér. 3 - 2005 - 27 (2) : 155-207; Orchids of Southern Africa by H. P. Linder; H. Kurzweil Published by A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam (1999); A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw.(Orchidaceae) Kurzweil H.&Manning J.C ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2005• 27 (2):155-207
Images:
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In culture	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.