| Synonyms: |
Bilabrella compta (Summerh.) |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Terrestrial herb 37–45 cm tall.Tubers 2–2.5 × c. 1 mm, ellipsoid.Stem leafy; leaves 7–9, the basal sheaths reticulate.Lower leaves 8–11.5 cm long and 3–6 mm wide, linear, acute; upper leaves bract-like.Inflorescence 7–13 × 4–5 cm, laxly or densely several- to many-flowered; bracts 15–20 mm long, finely reticulate.Flowers pale green.Ovary and pedicel 18–20 mm long.Dorsal sepal 4.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, elliptic, reflexed, convex; lateral sepals 5.8–6.7 × 3–3.5 mm, oblique.Petals 2-lobed almost to base; upper lobe 3.9–6 × 0.2–0.7 mm; lower lobe 6.9–9.5 × 0.3–0.6 mm.Lip 3-lobed to less than 1 mm from base; mid-lobe 9–11 mm long, side lobes 7–9.5 mm long, all lobes c. 0.5 mm wide, linear; spur 25–30 mm long, slightly inflated at apex.Anther 3–3.5 mm high, canals c. 2 mm long, somewhat incurved.Stigmatic arms 2–3.3 mm long; rostellum mid-lobe 1.5 mm high. (Source: JSTOR/FZ) |
| Type location: |
Zambia, Mbala District |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | In marshes. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | Aug |
| Worldwide distribution: | Angola and Zambia |
| Provinces: | CU |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | Near Endemic |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Figueiredo, E. & Smith, G.F. (2008). Plants of Angola Strelitzia 22 SANBI, Pretoria Page 192. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 90 - 91. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 121. Summerhayes, V.S. (1962). African orchids XXVIII Kew Bulletin 16(2) Pages 274 - 277. Protologue (Includes a picture). Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 54 - 55. (Includes a picture). |