Eulophia holubii Rolfe

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

Morphology General Habit

Slender terrestrial herb 17–46 cm tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, c. 4 × 2.5 cm, irregularly shaped.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence laxly 2–10-flowered; scape with c. 4 sheaths, almost as long as the internodes but not overlapping.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves usually 3, 12–33 cm × 1–2.5 mm, linear, acuminate, grass-like, just starting to appear at flowering time.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary 8–15 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 15–30 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers showy, pale to deep pink, or mauve lined and flushed with purple, the lip darker with white fimbriae; occasionally the flower uniformly pale mauve.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 14–20 × 3–6 mm, lanceolate, acute or apiculate, the laterals oblique at base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals slightly shorter and more rounded than the sepals, 14–16 × 4–5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 15–20 × 10–13 mm when flattened, 3-lobed; side lobes rounded; mid-lobe 8–9 × 10–13 mm, obovate to rotund, truncate or emarginate, the edges erose; callus of 2 ridges in the basal half, with some long papillae in the centre of the mid-lobe.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spur 3–6 mm long, cylindrical, slightly curved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column slightly arched, 6–8 mm long.

General Description

Slender terrestrial herb 17–46 cm tall.Perennating organs subterranean, tuberous, c. 4 × 2.5 cm, irregularly shaped.Inflorescence laxly 2–10-flowered; scape with c. 4 sheaths, almost as long as the internodes but not overlapping.Leaves usually 3, 12–33 cm × 1–2.5 mm, linear, acuminate, grass-like, just starting to appear at flowering time.Pedicel and ovary 8–15 mm long; bracts 15–30 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate.Flowers showy, pale to deep pink, or mauve lined and flushed with purple, the lip darker with white fimbriae; occasionally the flower uniformly pale mauve.Sepals 14–20 × 3–6 mm, lanceolate, acute or apiculate, the laterals oblique at base.Petals slightly shorter and more rounded than the sepals, 14–16 × 4–5 mm.Lip 15–20 × 10–13 mm when flattened, 3-lobed; side lobes rounded; mid-lobe 8–9 × 10–13 mm, obovate to rotund, truncate or emarginate, the edges erose; callus of 2 ridges in the basal half, with some long papillae in the centre of the mid-lobe.Spur 3–6 mm long, cylindrical, slightly curved.Column slightly arched, 6–8 mm long.

Habitat

Dry open grasslands on Kalahari Sands or sandy soils, including wooded grassland with Terminalia or Hyphaene and dambo grassland