Cynorkis bobyi Hermans & P.J.Cribb, Kew Bull. 72(3)-38: 29 (2017).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Physoceras perrieri Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 82 (1924).
Description:
Plants terrestrial, 30-45 cm tall, tubers elongated; stem sheathed basally by 2 wide sheaihs brown and apiculate, bearing above the center a single lanceolate or lanceolate-elliptical (10-11 x 2-3 cm), leaf acuminate and compressed basally, shorter than the inflorescence, with a smaller lanceolate-acuminate sheath above. Inflorescence much longer than the leaf, loose, 3-10 flowered, sub unilateral, 10-15 cm long; bracts a third the length of the pedicel; flowers purple, very large (13 mm without the pedicel). Median sepal oval-cucullate, 7 mm long, 5 veined; laterals oblong, falciform, sub apiculate, 3 veined and 7.5 mm long. Petals obovate, 2 veined basally, external margin obviously dilate below the center. Labellum (1.3 x 1.6 cm) arrow basally, deeply trilobed; lateral lobes oval, diverging and obtuse; median widely cuneiform, 8 mm, long, widest medially, bilobulate medially, with a median apicule, spur with its oriface wide and compressed, then heavily contracted and dilate-spherical, vesiculate apically. Pedicel glabrous, 1.5 cm long.
Habitat:
Dry woods, from l000 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
