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Disperis paludosa Harv. ex Lindl., London J. Bot. 1: 14 (1842).
Description:
An erect slender glabrous herb, 12-50 cm. high; stem subflexuous, with one sheath at the base, distantly 2-4 foliate, raceme 1-7 fl.; leaves erect-spreading, sheathing at base, linear-lanceolate acute, 2,5-6 cm. long; bracts leaf-like ovate acute, shorter than the ovary; lateral sepals divaricate, deflexed at the apex, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 1,2-1,4 cm. long, spurred almost at the base, the spurs subarcuate obtuse, 0,4 cm. long; odd sepal erect, the upper half projecting forward, vaulted, with the cohering petals forming a wide open galea, lanceolate acuminate; petals clawed, the lamina semi-ovate acute, the anterior margin undulate, 1,3 cm. long; lip erect, then incumbent over the rostellum, linear gland-ciliate, 0,6 cm. long, the anterior segment of the appendix projecting forward, lanceolate acuminate concave, 0,4 cm. long, the posterior erect thickened, truncate at the apex, papillose, 0,2 cm. long; rostellum cucullate, the gland-bearing arms porrect-divaricate; stigmas two, lateral.
Habitat:
In sandy soils in marshy Restio-veld from (20-)200 to 1050 m.
Phenology:
Flowering mainly from November to December, particularly after fire.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cold growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
South Africa (widespread in the Western and ranging into the Eastern Cape); occurring in both summer- and winter-rainfall regions.
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; Orchid Digest Vol. 71 No 3 2007
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Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Hermanus Botanical Society, Fernkloof. Image used with kind permission.