Cynorkis baronii Rolfe, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 29: 58 (1891).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Bicornella baronii (Rolfe ex Scott-Elliot) Szlach. & Kras, Richardiana 6: 143 (2006).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Cynorkis pauciflora Rolfe, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 29: 58 (1891).
Cynorkis nigrescens Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 34(2): 311 (1916).
Cynorkis nigrescens var. jumelleana Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 34(2): 311 (1916).
Description:
Plants 10-40 cm tall, tubers 2, elongated, leaves 2, radical, flat against the soil, oval or oval-lanceolate (2.5-10 x 1-3.5 cm), attenuate petiolate basally, acute apically. Inflorescence loose 2.5-10 cm long, sometimes several flowered, most often 20-40 flowered, rachis and peduncle more or less hispid-glandular, bracts narrowly lanceolate acute equal to or slightly shorter than the pedicel, flowers small (12- 15 mm including the pedicel, white, rose or rose punctate with red, hispid glandular on the external parts. Sepals obtuse, the median widely oval (3.5-4.5 x 2-2.5 mm), concave and 3-5 veined, the laterals semi-orbicular (4-5.5 x 2-2.5 mm), 3-4 veined. Petals free, of the same form as the lateral sepals, but slightly smaller and 2 veined, labellum obscurely dilate-sublobulate above the narrow base, then trilobed, 4.5-6 mm long; lobes obtuse, the laterals shorter and wider than the median; 9 veined, branched in the lateral lobes; spur 3- 3.3 mm long, wide basally, shortly attenuate then cylindrical or sometimes slightly swollen at the obtuse apex Anther 0,8 mm tall, cauda and channel l mm. tall generally; viscidiums narrow, elongated (0.5mm.) and white, staminodes equal to two thirds the length of the anther or slightly shorter; rostellum tridentate in front, the lateral teeth acute, the median obtuse, stigmas not more than half the length of the rostellum, free and thicker apically. Pedicel 6-9 mm long, more or less densely hispid-glandular.
Habitat:
Rocks and ericoid bushes, from 1500-2400 m alt. very common.
Phenology:
Flowering in January-April.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cool to cold growing terrestrial or lithophyte.
Distribution:
C. & SE. 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; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Hermans 2008
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.
| Habitat/In situ |
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| Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. |
