Disperis bolusiana Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 24: 430 (1897).
Description:
Plants pubescent, 60-150 (-260) mm; leaves 2 (-3), cauline, alternate, ovate, sheath, margins and sometimes the veins beneath pubescent, sometimes purple below, 6-25 (-40) x 3-17 (-23) mm. Inflorescences 1-flowered; bracts ovate, acute, 5-10 x 2-4 mm. Flowers greenish-yellow or white, with green spots on the petals within; ovary ovoid, not twisted, 4-6 mm long. Median sepal with a sac-like hood ascending at c. 45°, 3-13 mm deep, (4-) 5-7 x 3-4 mm; lateral sepals oblong-lanceolate, acute, 6-9 (-10) x 2.5-4 mm, spurs saccate. Petals adnate to the median sepal, oblong, acute, 4-6 x 4-5 mm. Lip free from the gynostemium; claw linear-lanceolate, 5-6 mm long; blade broadly ovate, shallowly cup-shaped, 2 mm long; appendage triangular, pubescent at the apex, 1.5-3 mm long. Anther reflexed; stigma frontal, bi-lobed; rostellum arms obsolete but deflexed at the tips, 0.5 mm long.
Habitat:
In renosterveld over clay soils from 60 to 1200 m.
Phenology:
Mainly flowering from September to October.
Notes:
The species is pollinated by the oil-collecting bees Rediviva longimanus and Rediviva peringueyi (Steiner 1989).
Key to the subspecies of Disperis bolusiana
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cool growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
South Africa (Western Cape).
References:
A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), ADANSONIA, sér. 3 - 2005 - 27 (2) : 155-207; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzwell 1999
Images:
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| Habitat/In situ | Habitat/In situ | Habitat/In situ |
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| Photograph© Hanlie VorsterImage used with kind permission. |
Photograph© Hanlie VorsterImage used with kind permission. |
Photograph© Hanlie VorsterImage used with kind permission |
