Disperis Sw.

Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:1. 1995

Morphology General Habit

Erect terrestrial epiphytic or lithophytic herb, usually small, with small tubers.

Morphology Stem

Stem with 1–several cataphylls at the base; foliage leaves 1–few, opposite or alternate, sometimes absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, solitary or in racemes, white, yellow, green, pink, lilac or magenta-purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts leaf-like.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal adnate to the petals to form an open or elongate hood; lateral sepals sometimes partly joined, each with a sac-like spur near the inner margin (spur lacking in 1 or 2 species).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals variously shaped, sometimes auriculate at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip greatly modified, its claw joined to the face of the column and ascending above it, variously curving into the spur if present, often dilated into a smooth or papillate limb and usually bearing a simple or 2-lobed appendage which varies greatly in shape from species to species.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column erect; rostellum large, 2-lobed, produced in front into 2 rigid cartilaginous arms with the viscidia at their apices.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther loculi distinct, parallel; pollinia-granules secund, in double row on the edges of the flattened caudicles; staminodes present in some species.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma 2-lobed, the lobes on either side of the adnate claw of the lip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule cylindrical or ovoid, ribbed, usually developing rapidly.