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Disperis oxyglossa Bolus, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 22: 76 (1885).
Description:
An erect slender glabrous herb, 13-40 cm. high; stem subfiexuous, distantly 3-4foliate, l-5 fl. at the apex; leaves erect, linear- or oblong-lanceolate, acute, sheathing at base, 2-3 cm. long, 0,5-1 cm. broad ; bracts leaf-like ovate acuminate, equalling or exceeding the ovary; lateral sepals divaricate, arcuate-decurved towards the apex, lanceolate, long acuminate, up to 1,7 cm. in length, spurred below the middle, the spurs obtuse, 0,4-0,5 cm. long; odd sepal galeate-fornicate, deflexed at the apex, long acuminate, up to 1,7 cm. long; petals adhering to the galea by their posterior margins, subfalcate clawed, the blade obliquely lanceolate, long acuminate, furnished at the base of the anterior margin with an auriculate lobe, about as long as the sepals; lip erect, adnate to the column, linear, 0,6 cm. long, with the appendix bipartite, the anterior segment arcuate-porrect linear lanceolate acuminate, somewhat folded together, 0,9 cm. long, the posterior segment incumbent over the rostellum, 0,5 cm. long, ovate in outline, 3 lobed, lobes obtuse, the terminal longer and narrower; rostellum cucullate, in outline, when spread out, suborbicular, emarginate at the apex, 0,7 cm. in diam., the arms projecting forward, at the gland-bearing apex knee-bent erect, 0,5 cm. long; stigma bipartite.
Habitat:
In damp grassland, commonly in seepages or along water courses from 1200 to 2700 m.
Phenology:
Flowering mainly from January to February.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
S. Cape Prov. to KwaZulu-Natal
References:
A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), ADANSONIA, sér. 3 - 2005 - 27 (2) : 155-207; Icones orchidearum austro-africanarum extra-tropicarum by Harry Bolus; 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.