Porpax compacta (P.J.Cribb) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 186: 199 (2018).
Homotypic Names:
Stolzia compacta P.J.Cribb, Kew Bull. 32: 159 (1977).
Descrlption:
A small repent epiphytic herb to 9 cm. high. Pseudobulbs fleshy, borne in chains, ovoid-fusiform to compressed-pyriform, 1.5 cm. long, 0.9 cm. high, 1-leafed at apex. Leaves thin in texture, oblanceolate, to 9 cm. long and 1.2 cm. wide, rounded and minutely bilobed at apex, base attenuate, articulated to a short 0.5 cm. long leaf-base. Inflorescence 1-flowered, very much shorter than the leaf. Flower pale to butterscotch-yellow or purple, fleshy. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, acuminate, 7-9.5 mm. long, 2.3-3.5 mm. broad, with ± reflexed margins; lateral sepals fused in basal half and to column foot to form an obscurely saccate mentum ± 2 mm. long. Petals linear-lanceolate, acute, 4-5.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. broad. Lip narrowly ovate to elliptic-ovate, rounded at apex, deeply sulcate in basal half, 3.5-4 mm. long, 2-2.5 mm. broad; callus obscure, basal, small, warty. Column truncate, 0.6-0.8 mm. long; column-foot incurved, 2-3 mm. long.
Habitat:
Epiphytic on mossy branches in montane forest, 1600-2350 m.
Note:
Porpax compacta (P.J.Cribb) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen may be distinguished from Porpax oligantha (Mansf.) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen by its ovoid, unifoliate slightly compressed pseudobulbs which are closely spaced, its obovate petiolate leaf and its single-flowered inflorescence. Porpax repens (Rolfe) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen also has a single-flowered inflorescence but each pseudobulb is bifoliate and the leaves are ovate. Porpax compacta (P.J.Cribb) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen has yellow or yellowish-green flowers but collections have been made of a closely related purple flowered species in Rhodesia.
Cultivation:
Potted in a standard bark mix, or mounted, but the humidity must be kept high, particularly in the growing season. Intermediate temperatures and heavy shade.
Distribution:
SW. Tanzania to E. Zimbabwe
References:
New Orchids from South Central Africa, Kew Bulletin, Vol. 32, No. 1 (1977)
Images:
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