Disperis similis Schltr., 2002

Croix, Isobyl la, Bosser, Jean & Cribb, Phillip J., 2002, The genus Disperis (Orchidaceae) in Madagascar, the Comores, the Mascarenes and the Seychelles, Adansonia (3) 24 (1), pp. 55-87 : 59-60

3. Disperis similis Schltr.

Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33:

111 (1925); H. Perrier in Humbert H. (ed.), Fl. Madag., 49 e fam., Orchidées 1: 181 (1939); Du Puy et al., Orch. Madag.: 136 (1999). — Type: Perrier de la Bâthie 14345, Madagascar, massif of Andringitra (lecto-, P!, chosen here, photo K!) .

Slender terrestrial herb 8-27 cm high. Leaves two, opposite or subopposite, sessile, borne at about the middle or below the middle of the stem, 1.5-4.5 × 0.7-2.2 cm, ovate or lanceolateovate, acute, rounded at base. Inflorescence 1-4- flowered; bracts 4-10 × 2-8 mm, ovate, distinctly shorter than the ovary. Flowers pink; pedicel and ovary 9-10 mm long. Dorsal sepal 4-5 × 0.8 mm, narrowly linear; lateral sepals 4-6 × 3 mm, free more or less to the base, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, each with a sac-like spur around the middle. Petals hyaline, adnate to the dorsal sepal. Lip linear where it is joined to the column, then somewhat dilated, with a 3-lobed appendage at the apex, the 2 side lobes diverging and curved, pubescent, the mid-lobe triangular, shorter than the side lobes, glabrous, obtuse at the apex. Rostellum arms c. 2 mm long. — Fig. 2.

DISTRIBUTION. — Madagascar; endemic. HABITAT. — In humus in mossy forest; 1500-

2000 m.

MATERIAL STUDIED. — MADAGASCAR: Bosser 19029, S of Ambositra, P. K . 300, 1500 m, Jan. 1963 ( P!); Perrier de la Bâthie 14345, massif of Andringitra, c. 1800 m, Jan. 1922 ( P!); Perrier de la Bâthie 14589, massif of Andringitra, 1800 m, Feb. 1922 ( P!); Perrier de la Bâthie 15704, Mt. Tsaratanana , 2000 m, Jan. 1923 ( P!); Perrier de la Bâthie 16873, Manerinerina, on the Tampoketsa between the Ikopa and the Betsiboka, Dec. 1924 ( P!) .

This species approaches D. oppositifolia but it is distinguished by its flower which is smaller and has lateral sepals that are not strongly united at the base, and a trilobed appendage to the lip that has pubescent lateral lobes shorter than the glabrous midlobe.

Figures

Fig. 2. — Disperis similis: A, flowering plant; B, flower and bract; C, hood; D, dorsal sepal; E, lateral sepal; F, petal; G, lip. (Perrier de la Bâthie 14345, P).