Compilation
Polystachya mafingensis

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Name

Identification
Polystachya mafingensis P.J. Cribb [family ORCHIDACEAE ] (stored under name);
Related name
  • Polystachya mafingensis

Flora

Entry for Polystachya mafingensis P.J. Cribb [family ORCHIDACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 11, Part 2, (1998) Author: I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb
Names
Polystachya mafingensis P.J. Cribb [family ORCHIDACEAE], in la Croix et al., Malawi Orch. 1: 96 (1983). —la Croix et al., Orch. Malawi: 225 (1991). TAB. 114. Type: Zambia, Mafinga Mts., 13.i.1938, Trapnell 1819 (K, holotype).
Polystachya heckmanniana [family ORCHIDACEAE], sensu Williamson, Orch. S. Centr. Africa: 122 (1977), non Kraenzlin (1900).
Information
Dwarf epiphytic or lithophytic herb, 3.5–5 cm high.Pseudobulbs clustered, up to 10 × 6 mm, ovoid with 1 node, ± covered with scarious bracts, 2–4-leaved.Leaves to 3.5 × 1 cm, ligulate, conduplicate, arcuate, spreading.Inflorescence (floral axis) 1–3.5 cm tall, 1–4-flowered; peduncle pubescent.Flowers bright yellow, glabrous on the outside.Pedicel and ovary 6–8 mm long; bracts to 5 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate, scarious.Dorsal sepal 8–8.5 × 2–3 mm, lanceolate, acute; lateral sepals 10–12 × 5.5–6 mm, obliquely lanceolate, acuminate; mentum 3–5 mm long, ± cylindrical.Petals 7 × 1.4 mm, ligulate, acute.Lip fleshy, 9–10 × 4–4.5 mm, with a claw 2 mm long, trullate, shortly acuminate, ecallose, bullate towards the apex.Column very short.
Habitat
Submontane mist zone woodland and grassland, epiphytic on dwarf trees and shrubs and on Xerophyta spp., also on rocks in submontane grassland
Range
Known only from this area
Altitude range
2200–2300 m.
2300
2200
Distribution
Zambia N Isoka Distr., Mafinga Mts., 2240 m, fl. 13.i.1938, Trapnell 1819 (K).Malawi N Chitipa Distr., Mafinga Mts., north end of main ridge, 2300 m, fl. 2.iii.1982, Brummitt, Polhill & Banda 16256 (K).

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