Disperis aphylla

Summerhayes, V. B., 1968, Orchidaceae (Part 1) part., Flora of Tropical East Africa 1 (1) : 226-227

12. D. aphylla Kraenzl .

in De Wild. & Th. Dur. in B.S.B.B. 38: 71 (1900). Type: Congo Republic, Kivu Province, between Matende and Nikanga, Dewevre 1065 (BR, holo.!, K, iso.!)

Herb, 7-5-16 era. tall, arising from 1-2 densely hairy narrowly cylindrical or ovoid tubers 0-5-2 cm. long, 2-4 mm. wide. Leaves 0-2 (when 2 present then opposite or subopposite), sessile, sheathing at the base, ovate, 06-

1-3 cm. long, 5-8 mm. wide, acute, rounded or subtruncato above the sheath, purplish beneath. Racemes (2-)3-4-flowered; flowers white sometimes tinged pink or green; bracts leaf-like, 4-8 mm. long, 3-4 mm. wide. Intermediate sepal narrowly linear-lanceolate, 1 cm. long, 1-2-1-5 mm. wide, joined to the petals to form a subcylindriea! spur, 3-5-4 mm. long, 1 mm. wide; lateral sepals irregularly ovate or rhomboid-ovate, 3-5-4 mm. long,

2-2-5 mm. wide, obtuse, practically free, sometimes tinged pink, bearing sacs ± 1 mm. long. Petals irregularly triangular, 7 mm. long, 3 mm. wide. Lip with long linear claw 2-4-5 mm. long, reflexed near the apex, the limb short and narrow, bearing 2 linear or antler-shaped variably bilobulate papillate appendages ± 2 mm. long just before the apex.