Holothrix pentadactyla (Summerh.) Summerh., Kew Bull. 14: 129 (1960).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Deroemera pentadactyla Summerh., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1927: 418 (1927).
Description:
Perennial herb 14-37 cm. high. Leaf I, basal, reniform, cordate at base, up to 3 cm. long and 3.5 cm. broad, glabrous, withering before time of flowering. Scape erect, slender, with small lanceolate acuminate scattered sheaths, sparsely pubescent towards the base, glabrous above. Inflorescence markedly secund, 3-8 cm. long, densely many-flowered. Bracts lanceolate, acute or acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers white. Sepals broadly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, apiculate, the laterals oblique, 2.5-4 mm. long, 1-nerved. Petals cuneate in general shape, 6-7.5 mm. long, 5-lobed in the upper third or quarter; central lobes longer than others, linear, papillose. Lip narrowly fan-shaped from a narrow base, 4-5.5 mm. long, 3-4.5 mm. broad, shortly 5-7-lobed at the apex; lobes finger-like, papillose; spur incurved, narrowly cylindrical, not at all tapering, 7-8.5 mm. long.
Habitat:
Upland grassland and open rocky ground; recorded from Mt Kenya, the Aberdare Mts, Cherangani hills and the Mau forest; 2300-2900 m;.
Phenology:
Flowering in January and February.
Cultivation:
Not in cultivation, cold growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
Kenya
References:
Flora of Tropical East Africa Summerhayes Orchidaceae Part 1 1968; Orchids of East Africa Piers 1968; Orchids of Kenya Stewart & Campbell 1996; THE CONTRIBUTION OF LINNAEUS TO ORCHIDOLOGY William T. Stearn, Botanical Museum Leaflets, Harvard University, Vol. 24, No. 4 (June 16, 1975), pp. 65-84
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.
| Habitat/In situ |
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| Photograph Karl Senghas© Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium Jany Renz Image used with kind permission. |
