Liparis anthericoides H.Perrier, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 5: 243 (1936).
Description:
Plants 20-30 cm. tall; pseudobulbs orbicular or napiforrn, bearing 2-3 oblanceolate-linear leaves (11- 14 x 0.9-2.5 cm.), attenuate toward the base and the upper third, rigid but with the limbus thin and finely many veined. Inflorescence longer than the leaves, peduncles bare below the center, bearing above 4-7 small sheaths with acute limbuses; cluster thin, 10-20 flowered, flowers greenish, turning yellowish; rachis slightly sinuate; pedicel very distinct from the ovary, subfiliform and 5-12 mm. long; bracts 3 veined, hyaline and very acute, not longer than half the length of the pedicel. Median sepal narrowly lanceolate linear (7 x 1.2 mm.), acute, hyaline and 3 veined (obsolete); laterals crescent shaped, nearly semi-oval (5 x 2 mm.). Petals narrowly linear (7 x 0.5 mm.), obtuse and 1 veined. Labellum (3 x 2.3 mm.) dilate abruptly above the narrow base in a widely oval limbus, emarginate with a median apicule in front; unguis provided with a truncate callus reaching to a narrow keel at the base of the labellum, 5-6 very branching veins projecting on the upper surface. Column thin, 4 mm. long., winged-very dilate toward the rostellum with the wings nearly square. Anther suborbicular (0.7 mm.), elongated in front with a very narrow beak, very acute and recurved; pollina solitary per lobe, very rarely 2; viscidiums absent. Pedicel very short (1 .8 mm., pedicel excluded) and very twisted, very distinct from its pedicel. Capsule sub-spherical (5 mm. in diameter) with 6 bands. 3 slightly more projecting.
Habitat:
Terrestrials; in mossy forests, from 900-1300m. alt.
Phenology:
Flowering in February-April.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, warm to cool growing epiphyte or terrestrial.
Distribution:
C. & NE. Madagascar. Endemic.
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; Orchids of Madagascar Du Puy Hermans, Bosser & Cribb 2007; A Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Hermans
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