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Cynorkis purpurea (Thouars) Kraenzl., Orchid. Gen. Sp. 1: 482 (1898).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Habenaria purpurea Thouars, Hist. Orchid.: t. 17 (1822).
Peristylus purpureus (Thouars) S.Moore in J.G.Baker, Fl. Mauritius: 335 (1877), nom. illeg.
Imerinorchis purpurea (Thouars) Szlach., Orchidee (Hamburg) 56: 69 (2005).
Description:
Herbs, 20-35 cm tall, leaves 4-5 radical, flat against the soil, lanceolate (7.5-13 x 1-1.5 cm), acuminate or obtuse. Scape with 2-3 sheaths, inflorescence loosely 9-12 flowered, flowers purplish, bracts generally equaling half the length of the pedicel. Median sepal oval-lanceolate, much smaller than the laterals, which are 6-6.3 mm long and 4-4.2 mm wide. Labellum (6 mm) compressed basally, trilobed in the apical quarter; lateral lobes wide and oval-obtuse, the median longer and linear; spur 4 mm long, curved and dilate apically, 3 times wider apically than basally. Anther retuse; cauda 2.5 mm long, viscidiums small, rounded, found in the isle formed by the arms of the rostellum, staminodes is small obtuse projections near the center of the arms. Rostellum with its medium lobe widely triangular obtuse, slightly thicker, nearly as wide as the anther, upright behind between the 2 sacs; arms recurved in a crosier apically. Stigmas in small blackish cushions entirely joined, confluent horn the apex to the have. Pedicel glabrous, 12 mm long.
Habitat:
In cool, uncovered spots in forests, on the edges of streams, from 800-1500 m alt.
Phenology:
Flowering in January-April.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, warm to cool growing terrestrial or lithophyte.
Distribution:
Mascarenes, C. Madagascar
References:
Flora of Madagascar: vascular plants: 49th family, Orchids / by H. Perrier de La Bathie; published under the auspices of the government of Madagascar and under the direction of H. Humbert; English revision and translation by Steven D. Beckman; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009
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Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.