Liparis nyikana G.Will., Pl. Syst. Evol. 142: 151 (1983).
Description:
Dwarf epiphytic herb to 12 cm tall. Pseudobulbs 12–28 × 4–8 mm, conical, green, set close together on the rhizome. Leaves 3–6, lowermost 2–3 sheathing, the rest semi-erect, 6–8 × 2–4 cm, ovate, acute, somewhat ribbed. Inflorescence c. 5 cm long, rather laxly up to 6-flowered; peduncle with 1 bract c. 1 mm long. Flowers erect, very small, 3 mm in diameter, greenish-yellow turning straw-coloured with age, lip with a reddish central line. Pedicel 2 mm long, ovary 5 mm long; bracts 3 mm long, ovate. Dorsal sepal 4–5 × 0.8 mm, linear, erect; lateral sepals 2–3 × 1–3 mm, united for most of their length, projecting forwards and lying under the lip. Petals 3–5 mm long, narrowly linear, almost filiform. Lip c. 3 × 3 mm, quadrate, curving back, with 2 calli at the base and a thickened central line; margin undulate. Column arched, 1.5–2 mm long.
Habitat:
Evergreen forest, on mossy trunks and branches of forest trees, usually near streams 2000–2350 m.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
Tanzania to N. Malawi
References:
Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 11, Part 1, (1995) Author: I. la Croix and P.J. Cribb; New Liparis Species (Orchidaceae) from South Central and East Africa Graham Williamson, Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol. 142, No. 3/4 (1983), pp. 149-156; THE ORCHIDS OF MALAŴI Brian Morris, The Society of Malawi Journal, Vol. 35, No. 2 (1982), pp. 7-23
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