Eulophia pileata Ridl., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 21: 468 (1885).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Graphorkis pileata (Ridl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 662 (1891).
Lissochilus pileatus (Ridl.) H.Perrier, in Fl. Madag. 49(2): 49 (1941).
Description:
Pseudobulbs green, oblong (6-7 x 2.5-3cm.), with 3-5 linear rings (from the fallen sheaths), the most recent (the last developed) bearing 5-7 flabelliform leaves, the new bulb developing prior to flowering. Leaves graminiform, very acute, shorter than the inflorescence, heavily veined, to nearly 5-10 mm, wide. Inflorescence 40-50 cm long; cluster simple or sometimes provided with a short basal 2 or 3 flowered branch, very loosely 20-30 flowered; flowers flat, of a brick red; bracts narrow, equal at most to about a third of the length of the pedicel. Sepals and petals nearly similar, oblanceolate or oblong (9.5-12 x 4- 5 mm), obtuse, the median sepal with 3, the lateral sepals with 5, and the petals with 6 veins. Labellum obovate in contour (10 x 8 mm), trilobed in the upper third; provided basally with 2 very projecting keels, attenuate toward the median lobe; lateral lobes obtuse, with flat, entire margins; median lobe small, rounded, with its margins undulate-crisped; veins red, 3 times bifurcated toward the lateral lobes and 6-8, finer in the median lobe; spur wide and short (3 x 2 mm), with its oriface 1.5 mm from the base of the column. Column 4 mm long slightly thickened apically; back margin of the clinandrium enlarged in a small, obtuse angle. Anther (1 mm wide), truncate apically, provided behind with a deeply bifid, obtuse appendage. Pedicel 12 mm long, equal to the length of the flower or slightly longer.
Habitat:
From rocky forests, from 1500 m alt.
Phenology:
Flowering in November.
Distribution:
Comoros, 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; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans, Du Puy, Cribb & Bosser 2007; A Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Hermans & Cribb 2009; Genera Orchidacearum Volume 5 Epidendrodeae Part 2 Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen 2009; Expansion of the orchid genus Eulophia (Eulophiinae; Epidendroideae) to include Acrolophia, Cymbidiella, Eulophiella, Geodorum, Oeceoclades and Paralophia by Mark W. Chase, André Schuiteman & Pankaj Kumar. Phytotaxa 491 (1); POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved 26 November 2022."
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.