Nervilia renschiana (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 45: 404 (1911).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Pogonia renschiana Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburg.: 73 (1881).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Nervilia insolata Jum. & H.Perrier, Ann. Fac. Sci. Marseille 31: 192 (1912).
Nervilia grandiflora Schltr., Ann. Transvaal Mus. 10: 241 (1924), nom. illeg.
Nervilia natalensis Schelpe, Orchid Rev. 74: 394 (1966).
Description:
This species is very closely related to N. renschiana. Differing in that its petiole is nearly absent leaf, closely set to the soil, at least twice as large (8-24 cm in diameter), orbicular, cordate basally and acuminate acute apically; labellum tipped with a triangular-acute acumin, margins gradually attenuate, not dilate lobed laterally-obtuse; column longer (2-2.2 cm); the 2 crests on the bane of the labellum thinner, separated by a depressed interval, densely villous, taller than the interval, in the lower half the hairs are taller; the anther similar (with tetrads arranged in a linear row, pollina 2 per lobe, without viscidiums, the same size) but provided in front and apically with 2 small points. The anther 4 mm long and 2 mm wide and the rostellum in the form of a strap, 1.5 mm wide and l mm tall.
Habitat:
On limestone rocks, bare, not near the sea; flowering in November-December
Distribution:
Tanzania to S. Africa, Madagascar
