Tridactyle verrucosa P.J.Cribb, Kew Bull. 40: 415 (1985).
Description:
Stems 10-25 cm tall, erect, sometimes branched at the base, covered with old leaf bases with transverse wrinkles; roots arising at base of stem, 3-5 mm in diameter, markedly verrucose. Leaves usually six to seven, borne near apex of stem, to 7 x 1 cm, stiff, strap-shaped, unequally and obtusely bilobed at the apex. Inflorescences arising on stem below leaves, 2-3 cm long, densely 4- to 6-flowered. Flowers straw yellow, 8 mm in diameter. Sepals 4-5 x 2 mm, lanceolate, acuminate; petals slightly shorter and narrower. Lip 4-5.5 mm long, trilobed at about halfway; midlobe 2 mm long, narrowly triangular; side lobes spreading, 3 mm long, entire or with threadlike processes at roe apex. Spur 8-12 mm long, parallel to the ovary, slightly swollen at roe apex. Column 1 mm long; anther cap orange-brown.
Habitat:
Lithophytic on exposed rocks in montane grassland or at the edge of forest, occasionally epiphytic on relict trees in montane areas, 1500-2200 m.
Cultivation:
This species is much more compact in its growth habit than many in the genus. It does well potted in a coarse mix, at intermediate temperatures, in fairly good light.
Distribution:
S. Tanzania to Malawi
References:
World Checklist of Monocotyledons. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/monocots/ accessed 21.03.2017
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