Disperis purpurata Rchb.

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 197

63. Disperis purpurata Rchb. f.

Linnaea 41: 55 (1877); Schlechter, Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 1, 6: 939 (1898); Rolfe, Fl. Cap. 5, 3: 306 (1913); J. C. Manning in H. P. Linder F Kurzweil, Orch. S. Afr.: 310 (1999). — Type: South Africa, Hantam Mts , Meyer s.n. (holo-, W). Disperis namaquensis Bolus, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 20: 486

(1884). — Type: South Africa, Namaqualand ,

Morris s.n. (lecto-, SAM, here designated).

Plants pubescent, to 140 mm. Leaves 2, alternate, ovate, 19-30 × 9-25 mm. Flower 1, pink, magenta or rarely white; median sepal ovate, 6- 10 × 5-8 mm, saccate, lateral sepals obovate, 8- 15 × 3-5 mm, spurs to 6 mm long; petals clawed, oblong, 4-8 × 4-5 mm; lip free from gynostemium, blade forming cup together with base of appendage, appendage triangular, apex pubescent.

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — South Africa ( Western and Northern Cape, a single record from the Eastern Cape); in fynbos in the dry inland areas, often in shaded spots at the base of shrubs or rocks, frequently in seepage zones from 800 to 1500 m. Flowering mainly from August to October .