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Satyrium pumilum Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap.: 6 (1794).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Diplecthrum pumilum (Thunb.) Pers., Syn. Pl. 2: 509 (1807).
Aviceps pumila (Thunb.) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 346 (1838).
Description:
Plants almost rosette-like on the ground, the aerial parts of the stems 1 -3 cm high. Leaves 3-5, the lowest spreading and 20-55 mm long, ovate-acute, the upper bract-like. Inflorescence dense, with (1 -) 2-4 (-7) relatively large flowers. Perianth colours dull green outside, the labellum inside dull greenish-yellow marked with transverse bars of dark maroon; the other segments maroon, with green tinges on the distal parts of the lateral sepals. Scent faint to strong, resembling putrid meat. Bracts 3-8 times the length of the 5-11 mm long ovary. Sepals and petals fused in the basal 2/3 to 3/4, forming a broadly obovate lamina 8-11 m long, verrucose on the inner surface, with a callus 1 mm high near the base and a shallow sac below. Lateral sepals strongly falcate, the free part of the odd sepal deltoid and of the petals, lanceolate. Labellum 9-12 mm long, slightly deeper than tall, subacute, the apex not reflexed; the labellum-spurs saccate, dorsiventrally compressed, 2-3 mm long. Column slender, the base 7-10 mm long, curved mostly below; the rostellum with two prominent forward-projecting arms with globose apical glands. Staminodes pulvinate, rather conspicuous. Stigma narrowly oblong, 3-4 mm long, obtuse to emarginate. Anther sacs joined by an oblong connective.
Habitat:
This terrestrial orchid is rather rare and is found locally in seepage areas in clay or sandy soils in areas with low rainfall. Plants are found in the inland parts of Southwest Cape at 1500-3950 ft. (450-1200 m) in areas with the rainy season occurring in winter, while the summers are dry.
Phenology:
Flowering takes place mostly in the Spring months of September and October, rarely in November and December.
Culture:
Read more of cultivation of Satyrium pumilum Thumb.
Distribution:
SW. Cape Prov.
References:
Darnell, A. 1976. Orchids for the outdoor garden. Dover Publications, New York. Hawkes, A. (1965) 1987. Encyclopaedia of cultivated orchids. Faber and Faber, London. Kew Data Base. 2009. http.//apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African orchids in the wild and in cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Stewart, J., with H. Linder, E. Schlepe, and A. Hall. 1982. Wild Orchids of Southern Africa. Macmillan South Africa, Ltd., Johannesburg.
Images:
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Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.