Habenaria anaphysema Rchb.f.

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

Morphology General Habit

Slender terrestrial herb 20–75 cm tall.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Tubers 1–2 × 0.5–1 cm, globose or ellipsoid.

Morphology Stem

Stem leafy; leaves 6–12, the lowermost sheath-like, the upper ones grading into bracts, the remainder ± erect, the largest 7–16 cm × 3–10 mm, linear, the edges sometimes inrolled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 6–20 × 3–3.5 cm, rather laxly or densely 6–26-flowered.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers green.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel c. 10 mm long, ovary c. 7 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 5–15 mm long, shorter than pedicel and ovary, often brown at tips.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal usually reflexed but occasionally erect, 4–6.5 × 4–5 mm, elliptic, convex; lateral sepals deflexed, 6–9 × 4–5 mm, obliquely obovate with lateral apiculum.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 2-lobed almost to base; upper lobe 4–5 × 0.5 mm, linear, erect or recurved, ciliolate; lower lobe 8–15 × 1–2 mm, narrowly lanceolate, curving downwards.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip deflexed, 3-lobed to 1–2 mm from base; mid-lobe 8–15 mm long, side lobes 4–8 mm long, all lobes linear, c. 0.5 mm wide; spur 8–15 mm long, slender but swollen at apex, at first parallel to ovary, then forming a complete loop so that the tip points up.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther 2.5–4 mm high; anther canals 3.5–6.5 mm long, slightly incurved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmatic arms 3–6 mm long, slender, enlarged and truncate at apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Rostellum

Rostellum mid-lobe 1.5–3 mm long, triangular, acute.