Platycoryne megalorrhyncha Summerh., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1933: 250 (1933).
Description:
Herba terrestris, gracilis, omnino glabra, 20-30 cm. alta. Caulis foliatus, erectus, teres, basi cataphyllis paucis acutis vaginantibus instructus. Folia lanceolata vel lineari-lanceolata, acutissima, basi caulem amplectentia, usque 5 cm. longa et 9 mm. lata, superior minora. Racemus 3-4 cm. longus, circiter 2 cm. diametro, dense 6-7-florus; bracteae lanceolatae, subaristato-acuminatae, ovario pedicellato saepius breviores, usque 2 cm. longae. Flores suberecti, ovario pedicellato circiter 1-7 cm. longo. Sepalum intermedium ovatum, acutum, carinato-concavum, 7 mm. longum, 4-5 mm. latum; sepala lateralia oblique oblongo-lanceolata, subacuta, 7.5 mm. longa, 2.5 mm. lata. Petala e basi latiore falcatim ligulata, acuta, 6-5 mm. longa, I mm. lata. Labellum simplex, anguste linguiforme, carnosum, marginibus recurvatis, 6-5 mm. longum, 1-3 mm. latum (explanatum); calcar dependens, cylindricum, dimidio superiore clavato-inflatum, obtusum, 14 mm. longum. Anthera erecta, obtusa, 3-5 mm. alta, canalibus porrectis crassiusculis 2-5 mm. longis. Brachia stigmatifera crassa, apice ovata dilatata, 2-5 mm. longa, antherae canales paulo excedentia. Rostelli lobus intermedius e basi latiore oblongo-lanceolatus, acutus, 2-4 mm. longus, 1.2 mm. latus; lobi laterales basi latissimi ab intermedio sinu lato rotundato sejuncti.
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Habitat:
Note:
The large rostellum is placed in front of and is quite distinct from the column which it overtops. The front lobe widens at the base and the margin curves downwards almost to the apex of the anther canals, it therefore being very difficult to delimit the front and side lobes. The stigmata are widened at the apex into flattened somewhat concave ovate receptive surfaces. P. tenuicaulis Rolfe has a similar type of rostellum but the middle lobe is smaller and the anther canals much longer; the stigmata are also differently shaped and smaller.
Distribution:
Nigeria to Cameroon