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Pterygodium caffrum (L.) Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 218 (1800).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Ophrys caffra L., Pl. Rar. Afr.: 28 (1760).
Description:
An erect glabrous herb, 10-35 cm. high; stem almost straight, leafy, the upper leaves going off into sheaths; leaves erect or erect-spreading, lanceolate-oblong or ovate-oblong, acute or obtuse, 4-8 cm. long; raceme oblong, 4-11 cm. long, rather densely 4-many-flowered, flowers ascending; bracts membranous ovate-lanceolate acuminate, enwrapping the ovary, shorter than or about as long as the flowers; lateral sepals spreading-ascending concave ovate-lanceolate acute, 0,8-1 cm. long; odd sepal erect concave lanceolate acute, as long as the lateral ones; petals erect concave, in outline almost semi-orbicular, obscurely lacerate on the margin, as long as the odd sepal ; limb of the lip deflexed, in outline semi-orbicular, 1,5-1,8 cm. broad, 2 lobed, the lobes divaricate, lacerate on the margin, the appendix erect fleshy, almost quadrate, excavate on each side at the apex; rostellum horizontal; stigma bipartite.
Habitat:
Open places, foot of Table Mt., on the east side; also on the Muizenberg, alt. 60-240 met.
Phenology:
Flowering from September to November
Distribution:
SW. & S. Cape Prov.
References:
Flora Capensis, Vol 5, Part 3, page 3, (1913) Author: (By R. A. ROLFE.); The phylogeny and evolution of the Pterygodium—Corycium complex (Coryciinae, Orchidaceae) H. Kurzweil, Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol. 175, No. 3/4 (1991), pp. 161-223; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe and Hall 1982; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzweil 1999
Images:
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Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
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.