Disperis thorncroftii Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 20(50): 19 (1895).
Description:
Terrestrial herb 14–27 cm tall; tubers 15–20 mm long, obovoid, woolly. Leaves 2, alternate, the lower much larger than the upper; lower leaf 3–5 × 2–3 cm, ovate, cordate at the base, often marbled with white on the upper surface, dark purple beneath. Inflorescence 1–3-flowered; flowers white or purple-pink with green spots, almost always erect. Ovary c. 15 mm long; bracts leaf-like, 9–11 mm long. Dorsal sepal 7–8 mm long, acuminate, erect then bent over, joined with the petals to form an open hood c. 8 mm wide. Lateral sepals free, 6–8 mm long, obliquely ovate, acuminate or apiculate, each with a curved, saccate spur 2 mm long. Petals 7–8 mm long with green tubercles on the upper half, shortly clawed, obliquely ovate with a crenulate outer margin, acuminate. Lip narrowly unguiculate; limb c. 2 mm long, ovate, acuminate, reflexed; appendage erect, linear, slightly curved at the apex, almost as long as the limb. Rostellum almost orbicular; arms c. 4 mm long, dilated at the apex.
Habitat:
Montane, evergreen forest, on forest floor 1700–2000 m.
Phenology:
Flowering in November and December.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
South Africa (Western and Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal, Mpumalanga) and Zimbabwe.
References:
A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), ADANSONIA, sér. 3 - 2005 - 27 (2) : 155-207; La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) ; Flora Capensis, Vol 5, Part 3, page 3, (1913) Author: (By R. A. ROLFE.)
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.
| Habitat/In situ | Habitat/In situ |
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| Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission. |
Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission. |
