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Pterygodium alatum (Thunb.) Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 218 (1800).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Ophrys alata Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap.: 2 (1794).
Description:
An erect glabrous dwarf herb, black in the dried state, 7-15 cm, high; stem straight or subflexuous, leafy at base; leaves spreading or erect-spreading lanceolate, acuminate or acute, the margin sometimes undulate, gradually decreasing in size upwards, 2,5-5 cm. long; raceme usually somewhat lax, 4-12 fl., the flowers ascending; bracts ovate acute, as long as or shorter than the ovary; lateral sepals spreading or spreading-deflexed, obliquely lanceolate, acute, 0,8-0,9 cm. long; odd sepal erect concave lanceolate acute, as long as the lateral ones; petals erect concave, in outline cuneate obovate, the outer margin crispulate or irregularly crenulate, about as long as the odd sepal; limb of the lip deflexed, 1 cm. wide, 3 lobed, the lateral lobes divaricate, in outline somewhat orbicular, crenulate on the margin, the intermediate lobe tooth-like lanceolate, the appendix erect, incurved at the apex, rather narrow, lobed on each side above the middle; the gland-bearing arms of the rostellum ascending; anther very short.
Habitat:
Found in scrub, sandy flats, and slopes in a widespread area of South Africa (Clanwilliam to Humansdorp) at an elevation of 30 to 900 m.
Flower date:
Plants flowers August to October, mostly after fire
Distribution:
SW. & S. Cape Prov.
References:
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 & Hall 1982 photo ; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzweil 1999; Genera Orchidacearum Vol 2 Part One Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen 2001
Images:
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Photograph© Rob Scott. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Rob Scott. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image Used with kind permission from African plants – A Photo Guide. www. africanplants. senckenberg.de