Eulophia plantaginea (Thouars) Rolfe ex Hochr., Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 11-12: 56 (1908).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Limodorum plantagineum Thouars, Hist. Orchid.: t. 41 (1822).
Cyrtopera plantaginea (Thouars) Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 189 (1833).
Cyrtopodium plantagineum (Thouars) Benth., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 18: 320 (1881).
Graphorkis plantaginea (Thouars) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 662 (1891).
Lissochilus plantagineus (Thouars) H.Perrier, in Fl. Madag. 49(2): 10 (1941).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Eulophia grandibractea Kraenzl., Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 5: 238 (1923).
Description:
Pseudobulbs 3-4, corm shaped, lobulate, fleshy and subterranean. Leaves falling slightly prior to the emergence of the flowers, variable in size according to the surrounding conditions, narrowly lanceolate, widest medially, attenuate at both ends, acute, plicate-veined. Inflorescence robuse, 30 cm-1 mm tall, much longer than the leaves; peduncle slightly longer than the cluster, with 4-5 loose bracts, more or less large, acute, elongated but not totally covering the internodes except basally; cluster gradually elongating, loosely 20-30 flowered; bracts lanceolate-acute, very narrow and longer (4 cm usually) than the pedicel; flowers 5 cm long, glabrous, of a yellowish-green, except the petals which are pure white, the spur and the base of the labellum, which are violet red. Sepals oblanceolate-acute (13-27 x 4- 6 mm), 5 veined, the median projecting back. Petals oval-obtuse (13-14 x 4-7 mm) and 5 veined. Labellum (12-15 x 8-10 mm) not obviously trilobed, slightly enlarged and upright marginally, separated from the median lobe by an obsolete sinus, obtuse apically; margins undulate-crisped apically; provided basally with 3 visible keels near the spur, elongated by 3-5 rows of bumps (few and distant) in front; spur connical with a wide oriface (5-6 mm), 5-7 mm long and obtuse. Column 7-8 mm, slightly thicker apically than basally, triangular-obtuse apically, l mm tall, forming the rear margin of the clinandrium and joining to the posterior appendage of the anther. Anther (2 mm) provided apically with a small, obtuse tongue (wider basally: 1.2 x 1 mm), notched above; pollina oval-triangular, sessile with a wide, short, trapezoidal cauda, enlarged in a wide arch, embracing the stigma and joined to it marginally. Pedicel 2.5-3 cm long.
Habitat:
Found in wooded and sometimes bare areas, from 300-1000 m alt., flowering in January.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, hot to warm growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
W. Indian Ocean
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 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009; Genera Orchidacearum Volume 5 Epidendrodeae Part 2 Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen 2009
Images:
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Photograph© Etienne Vennetier. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier. Image used with kind permission.