Disperis egregia

Summerhayes, V. B., 1968, Orchidaceae (Part 1) part., Flora of Tropical East Africa 1 (1) : 225

8. D. egregia Summerh .

in K.B. 6: 464 (1952). Type: Tanganyika, E. Usambaras, Kwamkoro, Kihuhui track, Moreau 214 (K, holo.!)

Glabrous herb at least 18 cm. tall; rootstock unknown. Leaves 2, distinctly alternate or subopposite, sessile or shortly jietiolate, sheathing at the base, ovate, 2-5 cm. long, 1-5-4 cm. wide, acute at the apex, rounded or truncate above the sheath, ± clasping the stem. Racemes 3-flowered; flowers bright rose-pink; bracts leaf-like, narrowly ovate, 0-4-1 cm. long,

3-5 mm. wide, acute. Intermediate sepal joined to the petals to form a broad distinctly curved short helmet-like spur 1-2 cm. long; lateral sepals joined for ± 6-7 mm. to form a transversely oblong "Jsynsepalum ", 0-8- 1 cm. long, 1-25 cm. wide, narrowed to a claw at the base and bearing two small sacs 0-5 cm. long. Petals irregularly 3-lobed, 1-15 cm. long, 6 mm. wide; basal lobe rounded, auriculate; middle lobe elliptic, free; apical lobe forming one side of the spur. Lip 1-05 cm. long, hidden in the spur, consisting of a long slender claw bearing a fleshy carrot-shaped appendage which is covered all over with very distinct papillae. Fig. 39/8, p. 220.

Tanganyika. JC. Usainbaras, Kwamkoro, Kihuhui track 6-4 km. SW. of Amani, May 1941, Moreau 214! & Amani, Mt. Bomole, June 1944, Moreau 214A!

Distr. T3; not known elsewhere

Hab. On mossy rock-faces in dense rain-forest; 900-1050 m.