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Ceratandra atrata (L.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 123 (1894).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Ophrys atrata L., Mant. Pl. 1: 121 (1767).
Pterygodium atratum (L.) Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 218 (1800).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Ceratandra chloroleuca Eckl. ex F.A.Bauer, Ill. Orch. Pl.: t. 16 (1837).
Ceratandra auriculata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 364 (1838).
Ceratandra ochroleuca G.Don in R.Sweet, Hort. Brit., ed. 3: 651 (1839).
Description:
An erect glabrous herb, 10-35 cm. high; stem straight or subflexuous, leafy, leaves erect-spreading or incurved at the apex, linear-lanceolate acuminate semi-amplexicaul, 2,5-8 cm. long, the radical ones numerous linear-filiform, up to 6 cm. long; spike oblong or cylindrical, laxly or densely many-flowered, the flowers spreading or erect-spreading, inverted; bracts leaf-like lanceolate acuminate, exceeding the ovary; lateral sepals ascending concave, obliquely ovate, acute, 0,8-1,2 cm. long; odd sepal slightly cohering with the petals, deflexed lanceolate acute, 1-1-3 cm. long; petals shortly clawed, subfalcate, the limb obliquely ovate, obtuse, the outer margin incurved, as long as the odd sepal; lip posticous exappendiculate clawed, the claw deflexed oblong, 0,4 cm. long, the lamina in outline subreniform, auriculate, shortly acute at the apex, tuberculate on the upper surface, 0,4 cm. long; arms of the rostellum erect or erect-incurved, 0,6 cm. long; ovary cylindrical, 0,8-1,4 cm. long.
Habitat:
In marshes or rock flushes at elevations of sea-level to 1050 meters.
Phenology:
October to December - mostly after fire.
Distribution:
SW. & S. Cape Prov.
References:
Flora Capensis, Vol 5, Part 3, page 3, (1913) Author: (By R. A. ROLFE.); Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzweil 1999
Images:
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Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.