Porpax angustifolia (Mansf.) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 186: 199 (2018).
Homotypic Names:
Stolzia angustifolia Mansf., Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 11: 1062 (1934).
Description:
A dwarf, creeping epiphytic herb to 6.5 cm. high. Pseudobulbs closely spaced, forming mats, closely appressed to the substrate, ovoid, dorsiventrally compressed, to 0.8 cm. long, 0.7 cm. wide, 2-leaved at apex, buff-coloured. Leaves oblong-ligulate, to 4 cm. long, 0.4 cm. wide, shortly apiculate, articulated to a short leaf-base 0.4–1 cm. long. Inflorescence 2–4-flowered, 2.5–6 cm. long; peduncle slender, terete; bracts triangular-lanceolate, 0.4 cm. long. Flowers dull yellow, with deep dull purple suffusion on mentum and a dark purple lip. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, fleshy, 1 cm. long, 0.35 cm. wide, acuminate; lateral sepals joined for basal quarter, 1 cm. long, 0.45 cm. wide, acuminate, forming a sac-like mentum at base with column-foot. Petals linear-lanceolate, 0.8 cm. long, 0.1 cm. wide, acute. Lip ± ovate when spread, V-shaped, canaliculate in cross-section, 0.4 cm. long, 0.25 cm. wide, subacute, margins in front somewhat undulate-erose; disc with 2 diverging verruculose ridges in basal third. Column very short, truncate, fleshy, 0.05 cm. long; anther-cap bluntly conical, verrucose; rostellum flap-like, broad; stigma oval; column-foot curved, 0.3 cm. long.
Habitat:
Epiphytic among mosses and lichens on small branches of trees in mist forest; 1850–2000 m.
Distribution:
Tanzania (NW. Uluguru Mts.)
References:
Flora of Tropical East Africa: Orchidaceae, Part 2
Images:
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