Disperis similis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 111 (1924).
Description:
Slender terrestrial herb 8-27 cm high. Leaves two, opposite or subopposite, sessile, borne at about the middle or below the middle of the stem, 1.5-4.5 × 0.7-2.2 cm, ovate or lanceolateovate, acute, rounded at base. Inflorescence 1-4- flowered; bracts 4-10 × 2-8 mm, ovate, distinctly shorter than the ovary. Flowers pink; pedicel and ovary 9-10 mm long. Dorsal sepal 4-5 × 0.8 mm, narrowly linear; lateral sepals 4-6 × 3 mm, free more or less to the base, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, each with a sac-like spur around the middle. Petals hyaline, adnate to the dorsal sepal. Lip linear where it is joined to the column, then somewhat dilated, with a 3-lobed appendage at the apex, the 2 side lobes diverging and curved, pubescent, the mid-lobe triangular, shorter than the side lobes, glabrous, obtuse at the apex. Rostellum arms c. 2 mm long.
Notes:
This species approaches Disperis oppositifolia but it is distinguished by its flower which is smaller andhas lateral sepals that are not strongly united at the base, and a trilobed appendage to the lip that has pubescent lateral lobes shorter than the glabrous midlobe.
Habitat:
In humus in mossy forest; 1500- 2000 m.
Distribution:
N. & C. Madagascar
