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Disperis wealei Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburg.: 103 (1881).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Disperis gracilis Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 20(50): 44 (1895).
Disperis flava Rolfe in W.H.Harvey & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Cap. 5(3): 301 (1913).
Description:
A slender erect glabrous herb, 11-36 cm. high; stem subflexuous weak, distantly 3-6foliate, l-5fl. at the apex; leaves erect-spreading amplexicaul, lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate, acute, 1-2,5 cm. long, bracts leaf-like, about as long as the ovary; lateral sepals divaricate obliquely lanceolate ovate acuminate, 1,2 cm. long, spurred below the middle, the spurs obtuse or subacute, up to 0,4 cm. long; odd sepal erect galeate, very obtuse at the back, apiculate at the apex, 1,2 cm. long, 0,8 cm. in diam.; petals adhering to the odd sepal by their posterior margins, from an unguiculate base obliquely subobovate, apiculate, 1,1 cm. long; lip erect linear, 0,3 cm. long, the appendix bipartite, anterior segment erect linear-lanceolate, setaceously acuminate, 0,5 cm. long, posterior segment incumbent over the rostellum, decurved at the apex, somewhat boat-shaped obtuse, 0,7 cm. long; rostellum hooded, in outline, when spread out, suborbicular, emarginate at the apex, 0,6 cm. in diam., the arms conspicuous decurved, then projecting forward and knee-bent, 0,5 cm. long: anther falcate, 0,4 cm. long; gland oblong ; stigma bipartite.
Habitat:
Common in moist to wet montane grassland, often along streams or near forest margins from 1500 to 2700 m; once recorded epiphytic on Encephalartos (Cycadaceae).
Phenology:
Flowering mainly in January and February.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
S. Africa
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)
Images:
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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.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.