Cynorkis gabonensis Summerh., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1938: 143 (1938).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Bicornella gabonensis (Summerh.) Szlach. & Kras, Richardiana 6: 144 (2006).
Description:
Roots clustered, thick, fleshy. Stem 5-9 cm tall, erect, delicate, glabrous. Leaves 3-6, basal, spread, gathered in rosette, petiolate; petiole up to 0.5 cm long, narrow; blade up to 4.5 cm long, up to 1.5 cm wide, lanceolate, tapering to the both ends, acute. Inflorescence 1-3 cm long, 5-20-flowered, secund. Flowers tiny, resupinate, glabrous. Floral bracts 5-6 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, acute, semitransparent, scarious. Pedicel and ovary 4-5 mm long. Dorsal sepal 2.3-2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, ovate-elliptic in the lower part, concave, with lanceolate, acute, cucullate apex. Petals 2 mm long, 1 mm wide, obliquely ovate, obtuse, with small basal lobules on inner surface, attached to the dorsal sepal. Lateral sepals 2.1-2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, obliquely oblong-ovate, subacute, concave. Lip 2.2-2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, sessile, ribbon-like in the basal part, with more or less thickened margins, canaliculate, cordate or transversely elliptic in the apical half, undulate, with triangular apiculus at the apex. Spur 2.5 mm long, narrowly cylindrical, obtuse, slightly curved, half as long as ovary and pedicel. Gynostemium 1.2 mm long across, anther bent back.
Habitat:
Forests. February-March, August, October, December.
Notes:
This tiny, glabrous plant is easily distinguishable from Cynorkis anacamptoides Kraenzl., by the length of the spur and lip being up to 2.5 mm long and by the lip shape which is cordate or transversely elliptic in the apical half.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cool growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
Sao Tomé and Principe, Gabon. Alt. up to 1800 m.
References:
Orchidaceae of West-central Africa, vol. 1, Gdansk University Press Gdansk 2010
