var. breviwaudata Rolfe

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 195

var. breviwaudata Rolfe

Fl. Cap. 5, 3: 303 (1913); J . C . Manning in H . P . Linder F Kurzweil, Orch. S . Afr.: 313 (1999). — Type: South Africa, Table Mountain , Wolley Dod 3074 (holo-, BOL) .

Dipera tenera Spreng., Syst. Veg. : 696 (1826), p.p.

Differs from the typical variety in the smaller habit, the boat-shaped median sepal and the absence of the lip appendage. The sepal caudae are only 2.5-3 mm long. Found in the same area as the typical variety and often together with it. The reduction of floral structures may indicate a step in its evolution to autogamy.

GROUP 9: “BOLUSIANA GROUP” (SPECIES 58-64); FIGURE 12

Small hairy plants. Leaves two (rarely three), alternate. Median sepal ovate, forming a sac or hood, lateral sepals free; lip claw weakly or not at all fused with gynostemium, blade triangular, lorate and slightly concave or forming a cup together with base of appendage, appendage lorate, rarely absent ( Disperis decipiens ).

DIAGNOSIS AND RELATIONSHIPS. — A well defined group distinguished by the hairy stems, lip that is not fused to the gynostemium, concave lip blade and frontal stigma. The lip is of the “ Wealei type ” (KURZWEIL F LINDER 1991). Within the group, Disperis bolusiana and D. purpurata are apparently sister species, defined by apically deflexed lateral rostellum arms, and D. bodkinii , D. cucullata , D. decipiens and D. macowanii share a somewhat cruciform lip claw. In this subgroup, D. bodkinii and D. macowanii are linked by the irregularly toothed lip appendage and the peculiar awl-shaped auricles (MANNING F LINDER 1992).

DISTRIBUTION. — Mainly south-western parts of South Africa but ranging into tropical Africa.

Figures

FIG. 12. — Flower and floral details in the “Bolusiana group”: A, B, Disperis cucullata Sw.: A, flower; B, lip and gynostemium; C, D. bolusiana Schltr. ex Bolus, lip; D, D. macowanii Bolus, lip; E, D. villosa (L.f.) Sw., lip. Drawn from alcohol material (sources unknown).