Himantoglossum metlesicsianum (W.P.Teschner) P.Delforge, Naturalistes Belges 80: 401 (1999).
Homotypic Names:
Barlia metlesicsiana W.P.Teschner, Orchidee (Hamburg) 33: 117 (1982).
Description:
Plant about 60 cm high. Oval lanceolate caulinar leaves. Inflorescence in dense spike, with 24-40 flowers and bracts, surpassing the flowers. Greenish lateral petals on the external face and pointed red in the internal one; Lip pink, purplish or off-white, with reddish macules. Fruit in elongated, dehiscent capsule by means of three side windows.
Habitat:
The orchids were found in a small, north facing area with some scattered houses between small terraced fields. They were from 700 to 800 metres altitude, in a zone directly under the lower limit of the Pinus canariensis forests. Almost all specimens grow on old terrace walls, bordering the small fields that are still being used as vineyards or for growing potatoes. The steep hills of Tenerife make large scale agriculture impossible. Especially around the remote hamlets that lie high up on the volcano the little fields are still being tilled. They form a great contrast with the vast banana plantations, omnipresent near the coast.
Notes:
Himantoglossum metlesicsianum was first described by Teschner from Tenerife in 1982 being named in honour of the contemporary Austrian botanist Herr H. Metlesics. This species is entirely confined to the Atlantic island of Tenerife in the Canary Isles.
Distribution:
Canary Is. (NW. La Palma, SW. & N. Tenerife)
References:
Rysy, S. (1992) Die Orchideenflora von Teneriffa. Ber. Arbeitskrs. Heim. Orchideen 9(2): 87-96.; Claessens, J. (2014) Ein Vorkommen von Himantoglossum metlesicsianum im Norden Teneriffas. Ber. Arbeitskrs. Heim. Orchid. 31 (1): 213- 218.
Images:
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Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission.