Porpax repens (Rolfe) Schuit., Y.P.Ng & H.A.Pedersen, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 186: 200 (2018).
Homotypic Names:
Polystachya repens Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1912: 132 (1912).
Stolzia repens (Rolfe) Summerh., Kew Bull. 8: 141 (1953).
Description:
A creeping dwarf epiphytic herb to 1 cm. high. Pseudobulbs prostrate except at apex, elongate-clavate or rhizomatous, to 3 cm. long, 0.3 cm. wide, bearing 2 leaves near insertion of next pseudobulb where the pseudobulb is broadest. Leaves 2, elliptic or obovate, 0.5-1.4 cm. long, 0.3-0.8 cm. wide, rounded. Inflorescence 1-flowered, borne between leaves on very short peduncle. Flower yellow, brown or reddish, ± striped red or brown. Dorsal sepal oblong-ligulate, to 0.7 cm. long, 0.25 cm. wide, obtuse; lateral sepals obliquely oblong, to 0.6 cm. long, 0.24 cm. wide, obtuse, united towards base with each other and the column-foot to form a saccate mentum. Petals slightly falcate-lanceolate, to 0.5 cm. long, 0.15 cm. wide, acute. Lip tongue-like to narrowly ovate, 0.2 cm. long, 0.1 cm. wide, ± acute, slightly papillate below. Column truncate, 0.7 cm. long; rostellum flap-like; column-foot curved, 0.2 cm. long; anther-cap spherical-compressed, smooth.
Habitat:
Epiphytic on mossy trunks and branches in evergreen forest and high rainfall woodland, 900-2200 m.
Notes:
Porpax repens as presently understood is a very variable species which needs to be studied further in order to assess whether the variation is sufficient to recognise more than a sing taxon Unfortunately, much of the material available lacks flowers or has poorly preserved flowers and. at present, it is impossible to confirm field reports from Uganda and Tanzania that more than a single species may be involved.
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:
Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
References:
Flora of Tropical East Africa: Orchidaceae, Part 2
Images:
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