Corycium crispum (Thunb.) Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 222 (1800).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Arethusa crispa Thunb., Prodr. Pl. Cap.: 3 (1794).
Pterygodium crispum (Thunb.) Schltr., Bull. Herb. Boissier 6: 849 (1898).
Description:
Erect robust, 20-30 cm. high; stem straight, leafy to the base of the spike; leaves 6-10, ligulate acuminate, strongly crisped, smooth spreading-erect, 7-15 cm. long; spike cylindrical, densely many-fl., 3-4 cm. in diameter, flowers spreading horizontally, bracts lanceolate; side sepals connate, anticous deflexed falcate lanceolate, becoming more or less separated towards the apex in age, 6-8 mm, long; odd sepal lanceolate; petals obliquely semisack shaped, broadly rounded and inflated at base; limb of the lip exserted oblong, three times wider than its length, slightly emarginate, clawed at base, the appendage rising thick and columnar, then separating into two strap-shaped arms curved horizontally forward, truncate and toothed at the apex; rostellum bipartite beaked, each arm bearing one of the erect distant cells of the anther on its anterior part; stigmas 2, pulvinate. The limb of the lip and the tips of the petals are bright golden yellow, the rest of the flower pale yellow; all parts except the side sepals are very fleshy.
Habitat:
In sandy places at elevations of sea-level to 960 meters.
Distribution:
W. & SW. Cape Prov.
Images:
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| Image | Flower Details | Habitat/ In Situ | Habitat/ In Situ | Botanical Drawing / Herbarium |
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| Photograph copyright P.Linder Image used with kind permission. | Photograph copyright P.Linder Image used with kind permission. | Photograph copyright P.Linder Image used with kind permission. | Photograph copyright P.Linder Image used with kind permission. | Photograph copyright Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium Jany Renz Image used with kind permission. |
