Eulophia flavopurpurea (Rchb.f.) Rolfe

Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:2. 1998

Morphology General Habit

Rather slender terrestrial herb 60–95 cm tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, 3–4 × 1–2 cm, irregularly shaped with 2–3 nodes; roots c. 1 mm in diameter.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3–4, the lowest 2 sheathing, 5–35 cm × 2–7.5 mm, linear, acuminate, grass-like, absent or just starting to develop at flowering time.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence laxly 1–8-flowered; scape usually with 3–4 scarious sheathing bracts.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary slightly arched, 13–20 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 10–30 mm long, spreading, scarious, linear, acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pale greenish-yellow, usually flushed with purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals erect or spreading, 17–34 × 3–7 mm, lanceolate, acute, sometimes with the edges inrolled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 18–23 × 7–11 mm, elliptic-ovate, obtuse, projecting over column.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 18–29 × 10–17 mm, 3-lobed at about halfway; side lobes erect, mid-lobe deflexed, 7–15 × 8–16 mm, flabellate-obovate, with a callus of 7–11 low, verrucose ridges.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spur 3–7 mm long, conical, blunt, forming a right-angle to the lip.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 12–13 mm long; foot 1 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule pendent, 25–30 mm long.

General Description

Rather slender terrestrial herb 60–95 cm tall.Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, 3–4 × 1–2 cm, irregularly shaped with 2–3 nodes; roots c. 1 mm in diameter.Leaves 3–4, the lowest 2 sheathing, 5–35 cm × 2–7.5 mm, linear, acuminate, grass-like, absent or just starting to develop at flowering time.Inflorescence laxly 1–8-flowered; scape usually with 3–4 scarious sheathing bracts.Pedicel and ovary slightly arched, 13–20 mm long; bracts 10–30 mm long, spreading, scarious, linear, acuminate.Flowers pale greenish-yellow, usually flushed with purple.Sepals erect or spreading, 17–34 × 3–7 mm, lanceolate, acute, sometimes with the edges inrolled.Petals 18–23 × 7–11 mm, elliptic-ovate, obtuse, projecting over column.Lip 18–29 × 10–17 mm, 3-lobed at about halfway; side lobes erect, mid-lobe deflexed, 7–15 × 8–16 mm, flabellate-obovate, with a callus of 7–11 low, verrucose ridges.Spur 3–7 mm long, conical, blunt, forming a right-angle to the lip.Column 12–13 mm long; foot 1 mm long.Capsule pendent, 25–30 mm long.

A terrestrial herb 60–95 cm. tall. Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, irregularly shaped, 3–4 cm. long, 1–2 cm. diameter, 2–3-noded; roots scattered, 1 mm. diameter. Leaves 3–4, linear, acuminate, 5–35 cm. long, 2–7.5 mm. wide, basal 2 sheathing. Inflorescence produced before leaves have developed, laxly 1–8-flowered; peduncle up to 75 cm. long, bearing 3 widely spaced acute bracts; rhachis 2–20 cm. long; bracts spreading, linear, acuminate, 15–30 mm. long. Flowers subnutant, not opening widely; ovary and sepals pale greenish, usually tinged dull purple; petals pale greenish yellow with a purplish midvein; lip yellowish green; pedicel and ovary 13–21 mm. long. Dorsal sepal spreading, lanceolate, acute, 2–3.4 cm. long, 4 mm. wide; lateral sepals similar but oblique at base, 2.4–3 cm. long, 4–7 mm. wide. Petals porrect, elliptic-ovate, obtuse, 2–2.3 cm. long, 7–9.5 mm. wide. Lip 3-lobed, 2.3–2.9 cm. long, 1–1.5 cm. wide; side lobes narrowly oblong, rounded in front; mid-lobe deflexed, flabellate-obovate, 1.5 cm. long, 1.2 cm. wide; callus of 7–11 low verrucose ridges on mid-lobe; spur conical, 4–7 mm. long. Column 12–13 mm. long; foot 1 mm. long. Fruit pendent, 24–28 mm. long. Fig. 94/9–17.

Habitat

In wet grassland and swamps; 600–1650 m.

Seasonally wet grassland, dambos and swampy grassland

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

A terrestrial herb 60–95 cm. tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, irregularly shaped, 3–4 cm. long, 1–2 cm. diameter, 2–3-noded; roots scattered, 1 mm. diameter.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3–4, linear, acuminate, 5–35 cm. long, 2–7.5 mm. wide, basal 2 sheathing.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence produced before leaves have developed, laxly 1–8-flowered; peduncle up to 75 cm. long, bearing 3 widely spaced acute bracts; rhachis 2–20 cm. long; bracts spreading, linear, acuminate, 15–30 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers subnutant, not opening widely; ovary and sepals pale greenish, usually tinged dull purple; petals pale greenish yellow with a purplish midvein; lip yellowish green; pedicel and ovary 13–21 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal spreading, lanceolate, acute, 2–3.4 cm. long, 4 mm. wide; lateral sepals similar but oblique at base, 2.4–3 cm. long, 4–7 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals porrect, elliptic-ovate, obtuse, 2–2.3 cm. long, 7–9.5 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 3-lobed, 2.3–2.9 cm. long, 1–1.5 cm. wide; side lobes narrowly oblong, rounded in front; mid-lobe deflexed, flabellate-obovate, 1.5 cm. long, 1.2 cm. wide; callus of 7–11 low verrucose ridges on mid-lobe.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spur conical, 4–7 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 12–13 mm. long; foot 1 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit pendent, 24–28 mm. long.

Figures

Fig. 94/9–17.

Habitat

In wet grassland and swamps; 600–1650 m.

Distribution

T7 T8 U1 U2 U4

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:1. 1968

Note

No leaves at time of flowering

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers greenish or yellowish

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip sometimes with purple veins or streaks.