Disperis macowanii Bolus

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 196

59. Disperis macowanii Bolus

J. Linn. Soc. , Bot. 22: 77 (1885); Schlechter, Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 1, 6: 938 (1898); Rolfe, Fl. Cap. 5, 3: 307 (1913), as macowani; Verdcourt, Kew Bull. 30: 603 (1975); la Croix F P. J. Cribb , Fl. Zambes.: 243 (1995) ; J. C. Manning in H. P. Linder F Kurzweil , Orch . S. Afr. : 311 (1999) . — Type: South Africa, Somerset East, MacOwan 2626 (lecto-, SAM, designated by Linder F Kurzweil 1999; isolecto-, K).

Plants pubescent, to 120 mm. Leaves 2, alternate, ovate, 9-20 × 5-16 mm. Flower 1, white, often with mauve tinge; median sepal ovate, 4-6 × 2 mm, hood 2-3 mm long, erect, lateral sepals ovate, 4-5 mm long; petals oblong, 4 × 1.5 mm; lip free from gynostemium, blade triangular, appendage oblong, pubescent, apex 3-4 lobed ( Fig. 12D ).

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — South Africa (Cape Floristic Region, KwaZulu-Natal, a single record from Limpopo), Malawi and Tanzania; in rich organic matter on rocky slopes like stream banks and on cliffs, in shaded and damp places, frequently associated with moss or lichens, amongst shrubs, also in montane grassland from 1500 to 2500 m. Disperis macowanii is one of the few species in the genus that are known from both tropical and South Africa, where it occurs in both the winter- and summer-rainfall regions. The species flowers from December to April in the South African summer-rainfall region and in tropical Africa, and from July to August in the South African winter-rainfall region.

Figures

FIG. 12. — Flower and floral details in the “Bolusiana group”: A, B, Disperis cucullata Sw.: A, flower; B, lip and gynostemium; C, D. bolusiana Schltr. ex Bolus, lip; D, D. macowanii Bolus, lip; E, D. villosa (L.f.) Sw., lip. Drawn from alcohol material (sources unknown).