Porpax compacta subsp. purpurata (P.J.Cribb) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 186: 199 (2018).
Homotypic Names:
Stolzia compacta subsp. purpurata P.J.Cribb, Kew Bull. 33: 83 (1978).
Description:
Small epiphyte, often forming large mats of chained pseudobulbs covering trunks and branches of the host trees. Pseudobulbs asymmetrically ovoid, c. 1 × 1.5 cm, set closely together. Leaves solitary per pseudobulb arising from the apex, oblanceolate, 5-9 cm long, erect, light green, thinly textured. Inflorescence single-flowered, shorter than the leaf. Flower resupinate, less than 4.5, mm in diameter, somewhat fleshy, purple red, minutely and obscurely verrucose.
Habitat:
In montane about 1600 - 2000 m alt. evergreen forest, particularly on Podocarpus latifolius.
Phenology:
Flowering in Aug – Jan.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, warm to cool growing epiphyte.
Distribution:
S. Malawi to E. Zimbabwe
References:
Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 2 Cribb 1984; La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1); La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam; African Orchids in the Wild and Cultivation La Croix 1996
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