Cynorkis zaratananae Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 75 (1924).
Synonyms:
Imerinorchis zaratananae (Schltr.) Szlach., Orchidee (Hamburg) 56: 69 (2005).
Cynorkis tsaratananae Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 33: 75 (1925).
Description:
Plants small, 11-17 cm, tall, tubers 2-3, elongated; leaf solitary, developed, oblong-elliptical (6-12 x 1.5-3 cm), acute or shortly acuminate, gradually attenuate-sub petiolate toward the base. Scape hispid glandular with 2-3 caulinar sheaths, inflorescence loose or nearly so (5 x 2.5 cm generally). 5-10 flowered of a greenish-white, glabrous, except for the pedicel, small (2 cm with the pedicel); bracts with several glands, slightly shorter titan the pedicel. Median sepal (4.5 mm) oval-subacute and 3 veined, laterals (6.5 mm) oblong and 3 veined. Petals narrowly elliptical-obtuse (4.5 x 2 mm), 3 veined, the frontal of which is bifurcate. Labellum thick, linguiform (7 x 3 mm), obtuse, opaque a median line projecting above, provided on the banal edges with a small, acute, triangular tooth; spur 14-15 mm long, subfiliform basally and dilate-clavate apically. Anther (1.3 mm) 1obtuse; cauda 1,3 mm long; viscidiums small, blackish and - subglobulous staminodes straight, sub spatulate and free, 0.5 mm long. Rostellum arms very thick, arched, 1.5 mm long and with the median lobe reduced to a thick, triangular-acute saddle. Stigmas very thick, very narrow, subclaviform, half as long as the arms of the rostellum. Pedicel bristly-glandular, 14- 15 mm long.
Habitat:
Epiphyte, on moss covered trunks; in mossy forests, from 1700 m alt.
Phenology:
Flowering in January.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
N. 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
