Additions to the Orchid Flora of Tropical Africa

Abstract

A terestrial herb 6-19 cm tall; pseudobulbs ellipsoid, 1-5-1-8 cm long, 0-7-1-1 cm diam., tomentose. Leaves 2, basal, spreading, somewhat falcate in side view, lanceolate, elliptic or oblanceolate, acute to subacute, 2-4 x 0-6-1-4 cm. Inflorescence erect, densely many-flowered in apical quarter; peduncle terete, bearing 2 lanceolate acute sheaths along length, glabrous; bracts lanceolate, acuminate, up to 5 mm long. Flowers fragrant, white to pale pink with 3 purple spots on lip; ovary glabrous, 4-5 mm long. Dorsal sepal hooded over column, ovate, subacute, keeled, 2-4-3 x 1-5-2 mm; lateral sepals spreading, obliquely elliptic-ovate, obtuse, 4-5 x 2-2 mm. Petals forming with the dorsal sepal a hood over the column, obliquely ovate, obtuse, 2-5-3 x 2 mm. Lip ligulate, acute, 4 x 1 mm, obscurely toothed on each side at base; spur very short, incurved, tapering to apex, 1-1-5 mm long. Column erect, short, 1-5-2 mm tall, with a truncate staminode on each side near mouth of spur (Fig. 1).