Cynorkis hyacinthina Hermans & P.J.Cribb, Kew Bull. 72(3)-38: 29 (2017).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Physoceras violaceum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 83 (1924).
Description:
Plants epiphytic, generally 18 cm tall, tubers elongated; stern sheathed basally by 2 brownish sheaths, long and shortly apiculate, bearing above the middle a single oval-acuminate (5.5 x 3.3 cm) leaf, rounded basally. Inflorescence loose, generally 5 cm long, 3-5 flowered; bracts oval-lanceolate, acuminate, half as long or shorter than the pedicel: flowers very large (1.8 cm long without the pedicel), of a violet-red. Sepals 8 mm long, the median concave, oval-obtuse and 3 veined, the laterals oblong and nearly curved-sickle shaped. Petals oblong, obtuse, 2 veined basally and with their external margin slightly dilate-undulate. Labellum (1.8 x 1 cm) narrow basally, deeply trilobed apically; lateral lobes very divericate, oblong and obtuse; median narrowly lingulate-cuneiform, shortly excised and bilobulate-obtuse apically, 1 cm long and 3.25 mm wide basally and 4.25 mm, apically; spur straight, 7.5 mm long. cylindrical-claviform, wide at its oriface, then contracted and slightly dilate (3.5 mm) apically. Pedicel sprinkled with sessile glands, 13 mm long.
Habitat:
Eastern forests, from 500 m alt.
Phenology:
Flowering in August.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
N. & CE. 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; New species and nomenclatural changes in Cynorkis (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae) from Madagascar and the Mascarenes, Kew Bulletin volume 72, Article number: 38 (2017); Genera Orchidacearum Vol 2 Part One Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen 2001; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009
