Zeuxine lunulata P.J.Cribb & J.Bowden, Kew Bull. 34: 327 (1979).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Cheirostylis schliebenii Mansf. ex Schlieb., Gartenflora 86: 58 (1937), no Latin descr.
Description:
Perennial herb up to 25 cm. high; rhizome elongate, creeping and rooting. Leaves 7-9, ovate, decreasing in size up the stem; lamina 3.5—5 cm. long, 1.5-2 cm. broad; petiole up to 2.2 cm. long, broadening at the base to form a membranous sheath; internodes 1.2 cm. at base of stem, decreasing to 2 mm. Scape up to 15 cm. long including inflorescence, tomentose, with 2 or 3 acuminate sheaths. Raceme up to 3 cm. long, with up to 10 flowers; bracts longer than the ovary, up to 1 cm. long, acuminate, tomentose. Flowers white, at right-angles to the ovary. Dorsal sepal ovate, acuminate, 6 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, outer surface tomentose. Lateral sepals free, ovate-oblique, acuminate, 6 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, outer surface tomentose. Petals connivent with dorsal sepal to form a hood, apices free, ovate-lanceolate, 5.5 mm. long, 1.75 mm. broad. Lip: hypochile pandurate, concave, margins involute, 3.5 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, with 2 hooked calli at the base; epichile oblong-lunulate, 3.5 mm. broad, 1 mm. long. Column 3 mm. long, broadest at the base with 2 small triangular flaps; rostellar arms elongate, straight; pollinia pyriform; caudicle with involute margins; viscidium oval.
Habitat:
On rocks in shade at elevations of 700 to 1100 meters.
Distribution:
Tanzania (Nguru Mts.)
References:
Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 2 Cribb 1984