Cynorkis gigas Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 50 (1924).
Description:
Lithophytes, 20-30 cm tall, tubers 2 elongated, leaf solitary, radical, flat against the soil, lanceolate elliptical (14-18 x 3-4 cm), acuminate and slightly attenuate toward the base. Scape covered in large part by the 1-2 long sheaths, bearing at its apex 1 or 2 large flowers with a white labellum, finely punctate with purple, with a large spot of purple-black basally; bracts sheathing the pedicel, but generally slightly shorter. Sepals sprinkled with sessile glands on the exterior 4 cm long, generally 5 veined, the median elliptical-oblong, subacute and slightly concave, the laterals oblong-lingulate. Petals lanceolate-lingulate, acute, 3 veined basally, with the front margin dilate above the base. Labellum (4 x 2.3 mm) at its narrow base, compressed, then dilate and 3 lobed in the apical quarter; lateral lobes diverging. semi-square and very obtuse; median lobe narrowed basally, bifid nearly, below the middle, parts very diverging and very obtuse, spur 10 cm long, cylindrical-obtuse and slightly dilate toward the apex. Anther 3mm. tall, staminodes obtuse, adnate together apically; rostellum (2.1 cm) arms 8 mm long, median lobe half as long as the arms, bifid and with the lobules obtuse. Stigmas half as long as the arms of the rostellum. Pedicel 10 cm long, sprinkled with sessile glands.
Habitat:
On bare rocks, from 2000 m alt.; flowering in February.
Distribution:
C. & SE. Madagascar
