Disperis kerstenii Rchb.

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 183

29. Disperis kerstenii Rchb. f.

Otia Bot. Hamburg. 2: 102 (1881); Schlechter,

Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 1, 6: 948 (1898); Rolfe, Fl. Trop. Afr. 7: 291 (1898); Verdcourt, Fl. Trop. East Afr.: 226 (1968). — Type: Tanzania, Kilimanjaro, Kersten s.n. (holo-, B †; fragment, W) .

Plants 150-300 mm. Leaves 2, opposite, ovate, 32-39 × 20-24 mm. Flowers 2-4, pink; median sepal linear, forming curved ascending spur 8- 12 mm long together with petals, lateral sepals obovate, 9 × 5-7.5 mm, free; petals with long posterior lobe, and apical and basal anterior lobes, shortly clawed; lip about 9-13 mm long, blade descending, oblong, appendage of two narrow bifurcate lobes ( Fig. 6H ).

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — Tanzania; in humus or moss on rocks on the floor of evergreen forests from 1350 to 2250 m. Flowering from April to August.

Figures

FIG. 6. — Flowers and floral details in the “Anthoceros group”: A, Disperis aphylla Kraenzl. ex De Wild. & T.Durand, flower; B, C, D. virginalis Schltr.: B, flower in side view; C, lip; D-F, D. anthoceros Rchb.f.: D, flower in side view; E, lip and gynostemium; F, gynostemium; G, D. thomensis Summerh., petal; H, D. kerstenii Rchb.f., petal. Drawn from alcohol material: A, Schajes 2839A; B, C, Eyles 4477; D-F, Manning s.n.; G, Jaeger 1289; H, Eggeling 6634.