Compilation
Cyrtorchis praetermissa

6 Images see all

Previous
Next

Name

Identification
Cyrtorchis praetermissa Summerh. [family ORCHIDACEAE ]
Related name
  • Cyrtorchis praetermissa

Flora

Entry for Cyrtorchis praetermissa Summerh. [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
Cyrtorchis praetermissa Summerh. [family ORCHIDACEAE], in Kew Bull. 3: 279 (1948); in op. cit. 14: 155 (1960). —Goodier & Phipps in Kirkia 1: 54 (1961). —Morris, Epiphyt. Orch. Malawi: 107 (1970). —Harrison, Epiphyt. Orch. South. Africa: 73 (1972). —Grosvenor in Excelsa 6: 79 (1976). —Williamson, Orch. S. Centr. Africa: 198 (1977). —Ball, South. African Epiphyt. Orch.: 102 (1978). —Stewart et al., Wild Orch. South. Africa: 272 (1982). —Cribb in F.T.E.A., Orchidaceae: 581 (1989). —la Croix et al., Orch. Malawi: 267 (1991). —Geerinck in Fl. Afr. Centr., Orchidaceae pt. 2: 488 (1992). —Stewart, Orch. Kenya: 39 (1996). Type: Zambia, Mwinilunga, 8.xi.1937, Milne-Redhead 3146 (K, holotype).
Information
Epiphytic or lithophytic herb; stem woody, erect when young but becoming straggling with age, eventually to c. 25 cm long, covered with old leaf bases.Leaves usually 4–6 pairs, distichous, 6–10(12) cm × (4)8–12 mm, linear, recurved, V-shaped in cross-section, unequally 2-lobed at the apex, coriaceous, dark green; apical lobes rounded.Inflorescences 2–4, arising below the leaves, arching, 6–10.5 cm long, fairly densely up to c. 12-flowered, with flowers in 2 rows.Pedicel and ovary 9–14 mm long, slightly scabrid; bracts 3–4 mm long, sheathing, dark brown.Flowers waxy white, turning apricot-coloured as they age.Sepals 8–12 × 2.5–5 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, recurved at the tips; petals similar but slightly smaller.Lip recurved, 7.2–9.5 × 2–4 mm, lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat channelled; spur incurved, 2–3 cm long, tapering.Column 1–1.6 mm long; rostellum 3–4 mm long; viscidium hyaline.
Habitat
Brachystegia and Brachystegia/Uapaca woodlands, often on hills and hillsides, also in riverine forest
Altitude range
650–1500 m.
1500
650
Distribution
Zambia N Mbala, on Brachystegia taxifolia, fl. 15.xii.1949, Bullock 2104 (K).Zimbabwe N Zvimba Distr., Great Dyke Pass, fl. 10.xi.1976, Grosvenor & Renz 860 (K; SRGH).Malawi N Mzimba Distr., Champhila (Champira) Forest, hill overlooking Katete Mission, 1660 m, fl. 26.xii.1975, Pawek 10541 (K; MAL; MO; UC).Zambia W Mwinilunga Distr., south of Matonchi Farm, fl. 8.xi.1937, Milne-Redhead 3146 (K).Zambia C Serenje Distr., Ika Hill, fl. 1.xii.1960, Morze 29 (K).Zimbabwe W Matobo Distr., Besna Kobila, c. 1450 m, fr. iv.1957, O.B.Miller 4294 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe C Harare, by stream ex Rumani, fl. 1.xi.1947, Wild 2250 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe E Chimanimani Distr., Nyahodi (Nyhodi) Valley, fl. 25.i.1951, A.O. Crook 357 (K; SRGH).Zimbabwe S Mberengwa Distr., Buhwa (Bukwa) Mts., fr. 23.vii.1973, Pope 1118 (K; SRGH).Malawi S Blantyre Distr., Mt. Soche, 1300 m, fl. 11.xii.1984, Pettersson 346 (K; UPS).
Distribution (external)
Rwanda
Burundi
Uganda
Kenya
Tanzania
Zaire
South Africa
Notes
Specimens from the riverine forest in the Ruo Gorge, Mulanje (Malawi) have longer and narrower leaves than is usual for this species – up to 12 cm long and only 4 mm wide, but the flowers are identical to those of the commoner woodland plants.Subsp. zuluensis (Harrison) Linder occurs in South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal).

Related Materials