Eulophia gonychila Schltr.

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

Morphology General Habit

Fairly robust terrestrial herb 15–40 cm tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Perennating organs pseudobulbous, partly above ground, 2–3 × 2–3.5 cm, conical to almost globose, 3–4-noded; roots stout, white, 4 mm in diameter.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3–4, 8–15 × 3–5.5 cm, ovate to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, plicate, absent at flowering time.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence fairly densely up to about 30-flowered; scape with 2–3 loose, tubular sheaths towards the base and 1–2 linear-lanceolate bracts further up.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pink or pinkish-brown, the petals veined with red on the inner surface, the lip red-veined on the side lobes and the mid-lobe.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary 10–14 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 7–8 mm long, lanceolate, acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 11–15 × 4–8 mm, oblanceolate, the edges undulate, the dorsal erect, laterals recurved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 9–11 × 9–11 mm, broadly ovate to ± orbicular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip c. 15 mm long, obscurely 3-lobed, with a lacerate membrane in the throat with 1–3 fleshy, rugulose ridges in front; mid-lobe 8–9 × 6–7 mm, triangular, convex; spur obscurely conical.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 3–5 mm long, lacking a foot.

Habitat

In woodland; 1200–1500 m.

Miombo and mixed deciduous woodlands, and recently burnt grassland

General Description

Fairly robust terrestrial herb 15–40 cm tall.Perennating organs pseudobulbous, partly above ground, 2–3 × 2–3.5 cm, conical to almost globose, 3–4-noded; roots stout, white, 4 mm in diameter.Leaves 3–4, 8–15 × 3–5.5 cm, ovate to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, plicate, absent at flowering time.Inflorescence fairly densely up to about 30-flowered; scape with 2–3 loose, tubular sheaths towards the base and 1–2 linear-lanceolate bracts further up.Flowers pink or pinkish-brown, the petals veined with red on the inner surface, the lip red-veined on the side lobes and the mid-lobe.Pedicel and ovary 10–14 mm long; bracts 7–8 mm long, lanceolate, acute.Sepals 11–15 × 4–8 mm, oblanceolate, the edges undulate, the dorsal erect, laterals recurved.Petals 9–11 × 9–11 mm, broadly ovate to ± orbicular.Lip c. 15 mm long, obscurely 3-lobed, with a lacerate membrane in the throat with 1–3 fleshy, rugulose ridges in front; mid-lobe 8–9 × 6–7 mm, triangular, convex; spur obscurely conical.Column 3–5 mm long, lacking a foot.

A terrestial herb 15–40 cm. tall. Perennating organs subterranean, proximate, pseudobulbous, conical, 4-noded, 2–3 cm. long, 1.5–2 cm. diameter, drying dull yellow; roots thick, from base of pseudobulbs, 4 mm. diameter, white. Leaves 3–4, plicate, oblong to oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 8–14 cm. long, 4–5.5 cm. wide, petiolate, articulated to sheathing base. Inflorescences appearing before leaves, 6–14-flowered; peduncle 8–17 cm. long, bearing 3 tubular sheaths along lower part and a linear-lanceolate one above; rhachis 6.5–12.5 cm. long. Flowers spreading to subnutant, strongly scented; sepals brown; petals lilac-pink veined with brown; lip pale lilac; column lilac with yellow anther; pedicel and ovary 10–14 mm. long. Dorsal sepal erect, oblong-obovate, obtuse, 11–14 mm.long, 7–8 mm. wide, undulate on margins; lateral sepals similar but recurved, 11–14 mm. long, 6–8 mm. wide. Petals broadly ovate-subcircular, obtuse, 9–11 mm. long, 9–11 mm. wide. Lip obscurely 3-lobed, not easily flattened; side lobes erect, recurved, rounded, erose on margins; mid-lobe triangular, reduplicate, suberect, acute, 8–9 mm. long, 6–7 mm. wide; callus a lacerate transverse flap near base, with 1–3 slightly fleshy rugulose ridges in front; spur obscure. Column 3 mm. long, fleshy; foot absent Fruit not known. Fig. 107/9–18

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident