Eulophia ibityensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 262 (1925).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Lissochilus ibityensis (Schltr.) H.Perrier, in Fl. Madag. 49(2): 48 (1941).
Description:
Plants 35-40 cm tall; pseudobulbs fusiform-cylindrical, 6 cm tall enveloped by the 6 more or less decayed sheaths, without leaves at the completion of their growth cycle, the new bulb developing slightly after to flowering. Leaves developing long after flowering, graminiform, heavily veined, 25-30 cm long. Inflorescence 30-35 cm long; peduncle 20-25cm long, with 4-5 short, appressed, distant sheaths; raceme simple or several branched basally, 15 cm tall, loosely 15-20 flowered, flowers 25-27 mm long and light brown; bracts scarious-brownish, 3 veined, slightly acute and 6 mm long, shorter than the thin pedicel. Sepals lingulate (10-12 x 2 mm), obtuse, the laterals slightly enlarged and sub semi cordate on the front edge. Petals slightly shorter and wider than the median sepal. Labellum (10 x 4-6 mm) trilobed apically, lateral lobes much smaller than the median, obtuse and denticulate apically, the median nearly square, with a small notch in front and the margins pleated-fringed; with 5 basal, longitudinal, long (1-1.5 mm), fringed-linear keels: spur short (3 mm), 1 .5 mm wide, obtuse and slightly notched apically. Column 6 mm tall; clinandrium enlarged-angular behind. Anther provided with a single tricornute appendage, the 2 lateral horns diverging and much longer than the median. Pedicel 6 mm long and with 6 furrows.
Habitat:
Terrestrial; found m areas of fallen quartz rocks or other dry areas, from 1400-2000 m alt.,
Phenology:
Flowering in the dry seasons of April-November; and in the rainy season from November-April.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
C. Madagascar
References:
Flora of Madagascar: vascular plants: 49th family, Orchids / by H. Perrier de La Bathie; published under the auspices of the government of Madagascar and under the direction of H. Humbert; English revision and translation by Steven D. Beckman; Notes taxonomiques sur des Orchidacées d'Afrique centrale. VII D. Geerinck, Bulletin du Jardin botanique national de Belgique / Bulletin van de National Plantentuin van België, Vol. 50, No. 1/2 (Jun. 30, 1980), pp. 117-122
Images:
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In culture

Photograph Karl Senghas© Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium Jany Renz Image used with kind permission.