Habenaria tysonii Bolus, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 166 (1889).
Description:
Terrestrial herb 20–30 cm tall. Stem erect, with 2 basal leaves and many bract-like stem leaves. Basal leaves appressed to the ground, 2.5–3 × 2.5–5 cm, suborbicular or reniform, apiculate, fleshy; stem leaves c. 2 cm long, lanceolate, acuminate. Inflorescence c. 9 cm long, fairly laxly many-flowered; bracts 6–10 mm long. Flowers green, spreading. Ovary and pedicel 12–14 mm long. Dorsal sepal erect, 5–8 mm long, ovate, convex; lateral sepals 8–9 mm long, semi-ovate, acuminate. Petals 2-lobed, posterior lobe slightly shorter than dorsal sepal, falcate-linear, acute, slightly ciliate; anterior lobe c. 10 mm long, filiform, curved, hispid. Lip 3-lobed almost to base, somewhat hispid; mid-lobe 10–12 mm long, linear, acute, curved; side lobes slightly shorter and narrower, diverging; spur 12–14 mm long, inflated towards apex. Stigmas 2 mm long, clavate, oblong.
Habitat:
In grass on rocky hillsides
Notes:
This species resembles Habenaria dregeana but has larger flowers.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus, cool to cold growing terrestrial.
Distribution:
Zimbabwe to S. Africa
References:
Flora Zambesiaca volume:11 part:1 (1995) Orchidaceae by I. la Croix and P.J. Cribb; Contribution to the Orchid Flora of South Central Africa Graham Williamson, Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol. 134, No. 1/2 (1980), pp. 53-77
Images:
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Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Cameron McMaster. Image used with kind permission.