Habenaria trilobulata Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 26: 332 (1899).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Arachnaria trilobulata (Schltr.) Szlach., Richardiana 3: 157 (2003).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Habenaria quadrifila Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 53: 504 (1915).
Description:
Plant 15-35 cm high, stem erect, slender, with 2 large basal leaves and several much smaller sheathlike leaves scattered along its length. Basal leaves opposite, appressed to the ground, ovate or orbicular, 2.5-7.5 cm long, 2-6.5 cm wide; cauline leaves 5-8, lanceolate, up to 2 cm long. Inflorescence 311cm long, bearing 4-10 flowers, bracts short. Flowers pale green or greenish white; dorsal sepal sloping forwards, broadly ovate, convex, 4-6.5 mm long, 5 mm wide; lateral sepals reflexed, obliquely semielliptic, 4.5-7mm long, 2-3 mm wide; petals bilobed above an undivided basal part 3-4 mm long, upper lobe erect, curved, ovate, papillose, 3—4 mm long, 2 mm wide, lower lobe spreading upwards, filiform, 1.7-2.3 cm long; lip 3-lobed above an undivided basal part 2 mm long, midlobe linear, obtuse, 6.5-8mm long, side lobes similar to lower petal lobe, 2-2.7 cm long, spur swollen in the apical half, 2-3 cm long.
Habitat:
Open woodland and dry bush; only known in Kenya near the coast in Kwale and Kilifi districts; sea level to 100 m; flowers in August.
Distribution:
Kenya to S. Africa

Images:
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Botanical Drawing / Herbarium

Photograph copyright Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Herbarium Jany Renz Image used with kind permission.