Cynorkis alborubra Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 39 (1924).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Bicornella alborubra (Schltr.) Szlach. & Kras, Richardiana 6: 142 (2006).
Description:
Plants 10-30 cm, all, thin, tubers 2, elongated; leaves 2, basal, flat, narrowly oblong or oblong-elliptical (2.5-7 cm x 6-17 mm,) slightly attenuate basally, acuminate apically; scape bearing several pedicellate glands apically and a small number of distant sheaths with a very acuminate limbus; inflorescence short (6 cm at most), 6-9 flowered, glabrous (except for the pedicel), white with the labellum punctate with red, bracts lanceolate acuminate, nearly half as long as the pedicel, Sepals narrowly oblong or lingulate oblong, obtuse, 3 veined, the median 6 mm long, the laterals slightly longer, (7 mm ). Petals oblong, obtuse, undulate marginally, wider than the median sepal and 3-5 veined Labellum of an oblong contour, trilobed in the inferior part, 6.5 mm long and 4.75 mm wide between the lateral lobes, lateral lobes lanceolate, subacute, the median oblong-lingulate and obtuse, nearly 3 times longer than the laterals; spur 2.5-long, conical and acute. Anther l mm tall, cauda and channel short (0.6 mm), staminodes joined an- each edge of the anther base, upper margins white, irregular, denticulate. Rostellum 0.7 mm long, trilobed apically; lateral lobules incurved and wide (0.2 mm), the median horizontal, thick, rectangular, a third larger than the laterals, thick and bidentate in front. Stigmas entirely adnate except apically, thick and ruminate lobulate. Pedicel 6-l0 mm long, sprinkled with small pedicellate glands.
Habitat:
In ericoid bushes, from 2600 m alt.; flowering in January.
Distribution:
SC. Madagascar
