Disperis oppositifolia Sm.

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 180

25. Disperis oppositifolia Sm.

In Rees, Cycl. 11: 6 (1809); Schlechter, Bull. Herb.

Boissier, ser. 1, 6: 954 (1898); H. Perrier in Humbert, Fl. Madag. (Engl. revis.), Orch.: 110 (1981); Du Puy et al., Orch. Madag.: 135 (1999); la Croix et al., Adansonia 24: 60 (2002). — Dryopeia oppositifolia (Sm.) Thouars, Hist. Orchid. : t. 1 (1822). — Dryorkis antidris Thouars, Hist. Orchid. : t. 1 (1822), nom. superfl. — Type: La Réunion, Smith s.n. (holo-, LINN).

Plants to 250 mm. Leaves 2, opposite, ovate, 15-55 × 8-20 mm. Flowers 1-3 (to 12 in var. mascarenensis ), white, pink or lilac with darker markings; median sepal linear, 4.5-7 × 0.5 mm, hood shallow, lateral sepals 5-10 × 3-4 mm, united up to half; petals falcate, 4.5-7 × 3-3.5 mm; lip blade triangular, appendage of two linear, curved pubescent lobes, often widened at tips ( Fig. 5 ).

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — Madagascar, Comores and Mascarenes; in humid, riparian forest, on rocks by streams and sometimes in pine plantations from sea level to 1200 m; often locally common. Flowering from July to February.

Figures

FIG. 5. — Disperis oppositifolia Sm. (“Oppositifolia group”): A, lip; B, gynostemium. Drawn from alcohol material: Barclay 375.