Compilation
Polystachya greatrexii

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Name

Identification
Polystachya greatrexii Summerh. [family ORCHIDACEAE ] (stored under name); Polystachya brassii Summerh. [family ORCHIDACEAE ]
Related name
  • Polystachya greatrexii
  • Polystachya brassii

Flora

Entry for Polystachya greatrexii 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
Polystachya greatrexii Summerh. [family ORCHIDACEAE], in Kew Bull. 20: 184 (1966). —Grosvenor in Excelsa 6: 85 (1976). —Williamson, Orch. S. Centr. Africa: 119 (1977). —Ball, South. African Epiphyt. Orch.: 196 (1978). —Cribb in F.T.E.A., Orchidaceae: 373 (1984). —la Croix et al., Orch. Malawi: 219 (1991). —Geerinck in Fl. Afr. Centr., Orchidaceae pt. 2: 432 (1992). TAB. 111. Type: Zimbabwe, Harare Distr., Domboshawa, 30.viii.1949, Greatrex in GHS 24845 (K, holotype).
Information
Dwarf epiphytic or lithophytic herb, forming chains of pseudobulbs, or mats, flowering when leafless.Pseudobulbs 7–13 × 3–7 mm, ± ovoid, dark green or purplish, usually 2-leaved.Leaves 4.5–20 cm × 1.5–4 mm, linear, grass-like, deciduous in the dry season.Inflorescence (floral axis) 1.5–4 cm tall, several-flowered.Flowers pale lilac.Sepals pubescent on the outer surface; dorsal sepal 4–5 × 2–3 mm, ovate; lateral sepals 4.5–5 × 2.5–3 mm, obliquely ovate; mentum rounded, c. 1.7 mm high.Petals 4–5 × 1.7–2 mm, oblanceolate, acute.Lip entire, 3.7–5 × 2.3–4 mm, the edge undulate, the apex reflexed, with an elongate, brownish, pubescent central callus.Column 1–2 mm long.
Habitat
Riverine forest, submontane evergreen forest, gully forest and moist Brachystegia woodland, on trees and mossy rocks
Altitude range
900–1450 m.
1450
900
Distribution
Zimbabwe N Mupinge (Mpingi) Pass, Umvukwes Range, fl. xii.1975, H.H. Burrows 965 (SRGH).Malawi C Lilongwe Distr., Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, Chaulongwe Falls, 1360 m, st. 5.v.1974, D.J. Allen 540 (K; MAL).Zimbabwe C Goromonzi Distr., Domboshawa, fl. 30.viii.1949, Greatrex in GHS 24845 (K; SRGH).Malawi S Mulanje Mt., Lauderdale Crater, fl. 17.ix.1984, la Croix 666 (K).
Distribution (external)
Tanzania
Notes
This attractive little species is virtually indistinguishable from Polystachya brassii when not in flower.Both occur in similar habitats, occasionally on the same tree, but P. greatrexii has a lower altitude range and is much less common.

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