Cynorkis henrici Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 52 (1924).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Bicornella henrici (Schltr.) Szlach. & Kras, Richardiana 6: 142 (2006).
Description:
Plants 40-50 cm tall roots fusiform and fleshy; 3-4 radical leaves, elliptical or elliptical-lanceolate (7- 11 x 3-4 cm), acute or apiculate, gradually attenuate in a petiole. Scape glabrous basally, bristly-glandular above, with 6-8 sheaths with a very acuminate limbus. Inflorescence generally subdense, then nearly loose, to 10 cm long. 10-15 flowered; rachis hispid-glandular; bracts lanceolate, very acute, much shorter than the pedicel, flowers very large (17-20 mm with the pedicel), glabrous except for the pedicel, white or lilac. Sepals obtuse and 3 veined, the median oval, concave and 6-7 mm long, the laterals elliptical or nearly curved-sickle shaped, slightly larger (7-8mm.). Petals suborbicular, very obtuse, I veined, adnate to the median sepal and longer. Labellum large (12 x 6.5 mm), divided into 3 very unequal lobes, the median very large, enlarged in a flabelliform-reniform lamina, much wider (14 mm apically) than tall (8 mm), shortly excised and crenulate on the front margin; spur slightly recurved in a crosier, attenuate gradually from the base to the apex and 7.5-8 mm long. Hispid-glandular.
Notes:
This species is very much like Cynorkis ridleyi, differing only by the more robust habit and the more numerous radical leaves.
Habitat:
Eastern forests, from 500 m alt., flowering August.
Distribution:
E. Madagascar
