Disperis virginalis Schltr.

Kurzweil, Hubert & Manning, John C., 2005, A synopsis of the genus Disperis Sw. (Orchidaceae), Adansonia (3) 27 (2), pp. 155-207 : 184

33. Disperis virginalis Schltr.

Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 24: 431 (1897), Bull. Herb. Boissier , ser. 1, 6: 953 (1898); Rolfe, Fl. Cap. 5, 3: 311 (1913); la Croix F P . J . Cribb , Fl. Zambes.: 247 (1995); J . C . Manning in H . P . Linder F Kurzweil , Orch. S . Afr.: 302 (1999). — Type: South Africa, Limpopo, Houtboschberg , Schlechter 4453 (holo-, B †;

iso-, WU).

Disperis nelsonii Rolfe, Fl. Cap. 5, 3: 311 (1913). — Type: South Africa, Limpopo, Nelson 493 (lecto-, K, designated by Linder F Kurzweil 1999).

Disperis kerstenii sensu Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 20, Beibl. 50: 43 (1895).

Plants to 250 mm. Leaves 2, opposite, ovate, to 75 × 45 mm. Flowers 1-3, pale mauve; median sepal hooded, ± 1 0-13 mm long, lateral sepals oblanceolate, 8-10 × 4-8 mm, basally fused; petals oblong, 11-14 × 3-4 mm; lip ascending, ± 8 mm long, blade ligulate, appendage of two 2-forked lobes hanging over blade ( Fig. 6B, C ).

DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY. — South Africa (Limpopo) and Zimbabwe; in leaf litter in gallery forest and in wattle and pine plantations, also reported on moss-covered rocks under Podocarpus at ± 1 500-2500 m. Flowering in February and March.

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.