Disperis thomensis Summerh.

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

30. Disperis thomensis Summerh.

Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1937: 458 (1937), Fl. W . Trop. Afr. , ed. 2: 203 (1968); Verdcourt, Kew Bull. 30: 606 (1975); Geerinck, Fl. Afr. Centr.: 233 (1984); la Croix F P . J . Cribb , Fl. Zambes.: 246 (1995); Szlachetko F Olszewski , Fl. Camer. 34: 44 (1998). — Type: São Thomé, Exell 136 (holo-, BM) .

Plants 90-150 mm. Leaves 2, opposite, ovate, 20-50 × 13-35 mm. Flowers 1-4, white; median sepal lanceolate, hood 5 mm long, lateral sepals obovate, 5-6 × 2.5-3 mm, free; petals oblong, 5.3-6.5 mm long, with basal and apical anterior lobes; lip 4.5-7 mm long, blade linear, papillose, appendage of two bifurcate processes, papillose ( Fig. 6G ).

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — Widespread in tropical Africa from Zambia and Angola northwards to Kenya in the east and Guinea in the west, also known from islands off the West African coast such as São Thomé and Bioko; in leaf litter in evergreen and riverine forests from 1300 to 2150 m, sometimes also as a low-level epiphyte. Flowering mainly between January and April in south-central and eastern Africa, and from August to November in West Africa.

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.