Rolfeella Schltr., Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis 33: 18 ( Schlechter 1924 )
Benthamia glaberrima (Ridl.) Schltr.
Revision of the genus Benthamia A. Rich. (Orchidaceae, Orchidioideae, Habenariinae)
Hervouet, Jean-Michel
Descourvières, Pascal
Hermans, Johan
Longou, Ludivine
Adansonia
2025
3
2025-07-21
47
11
171
249
8VVJN
A. Rich.
A. Rich.
[387,601,439,465]
Liliopsida
Orchidaceae
Benthamia
Plantae
Asparagales
7
176
Tracheophyta
genus
( Figs 1; 2)
Monographie des Orchidées des Îles de Franceet Bourbon( Richard 1828: 37), nonLindl. (w). RolfeellaSchltr., Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis33: 18 ( Schlechter 1924). — Typespecies: Benthamia glaberrima(Ridl.) Schltr.
TYPE SPECIES. — Benthamia latisatis(Thouars) Bytebier(as Benthamia latifoliaA.Rich.).
DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. — The genus Benthamiais widespread in Madagascar, La Réunionand Mauritius, with possibly one species (probably B. africana(Lindl.) Hermans) on the Comoros( Fig. 3). It ranges from sea level to high altitudes ( 2600 m). It is generally found in open places, both dry and marshy.
ETYMOLOGY. — Named for the English botanist George Bentham (1800-1884), who together with Sir Joseph Hooker produced GeneraPlantarum (1865-1883).
DESCRIPTION Terrestrial or less commonly epiphytic (5 species) sympodial glabrous herbs with 2-7 swollen generally glabrous tubers, which are in fact tuberous roots. Stem erect or arcuate, sometimes with sheaths only (one species), or with 1-2 radical sheathing leaves, or with 2-10 cauline leaves. Leaves lanceolate, ovate or elliptic, sometimes not developed at anthesis (3 species). Rachis terminal, erect or rarely curved, few- to densely many-flowered. Floral bracts small, usually as long or longer than the ovary. Ovary pedicellate, fusiform or oblong, generally twisted (except Benthamia bosseri). Flowers small, resupinate (except one species with non-resupinate and pendent flowers), arranged in a narrow rachis, white, green or yellow; sepals and petals free or almost free, entire; labellum entire or trilobed; spur cylindrical (nine species) or short and scrotiform, entire or bilobed at apex, or a small hollow only in one species ( B. boiteaui). Column short and massive, subterete, erect; anther erect to slightly deflexed, placed above the rostellum, apiculate or not, bilocular, locules parallel, without anther canals; pollinia two, ellipsoid, granular, 2 caudiculae rudimentary, with two viscidia, detachable, flat, ovate or subelliptic; rostellum small, tridentate or trilobed at the anterior edge; stigma always very short, cushion-shaped, with short convex lobes; auricles two, generally conspicuous, subspathulate or falciform, sometimes lacerated, on lateral sides of column. Fruit a dehiscent capsule, with floral parts persistent on the fruit.