Orchidaceae
Holothrix

Holothrix tridactylites Summerh.

First published in Kew Bull. 16: 253 (1962)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Cameroon, Tanzania to Zambia. It is a tuberous geophyte and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Descriptions

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: threatened. Confidence: low confidence
[AERP]

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

Morphology General Habit
Perennial herb 9–21 cm. high.
Morphology Leaves
Leaf 1, basal, orbicular-reniform, 1–1.5 cm. long and broad, shrivelled at flowering-time.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Scape
Scape erect, with a few lanceolate sheaths, retrorsely pubescent below, glabrous above.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence 3–10-flowered, ± secund, rather lax.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts
Bracts lanceolate, very acute, shorter than the ovary.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers white.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals ovate, oblong or elliptical, apiculate, the laterals oblique, 2–2.5 mm. long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals broadly cuneate in general shape, 4–5 mm. long, the upper half or two-thirds 3-lobed, the lobes diverging, about equal, 2–3.5 mm. long, shortly papillose.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum
Lip cuneate or oblong from a narrow base, 3-lobed in apical half, 4–5 mm. long; lobes similar to those of petals.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur
Spur slightly incurved, narrowly cylindrical, 4 mm. long.
Figures
Fig. 1, p. 10.
Habitat
Short upland grassland; 2100 m.
Distribution
T7
[FTEA]

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

Morphology General Habit
Terrestrial herb 5–11 cm tall.
Vegetative Multiplication Tubers
Tubers 10–20 × 5–10 mm, ovoid.
Morphology Leaves
Leaf 1, appressed to ground, 7–15 × 7–15 mm, orbicular to reniform, glabrous, more or less withered at flowering time.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Scape
Scape with retrorse hairs at the base, glabrous towards the apex and with 2–3 bract-like leaves.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence laxly 2–10-flowered, flowers ± secund; ovary 5–7 mm long; bracts 2.5 mm long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers white, sometimes tinged with lilac.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals green, 2–2.5 × 1.25–2 mm, ovate, acute or apiculate, the lateral sepals oblique.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 4–5 × 2–6 mm, 3-lobed; lobes 2–3.5 mm long, acute, very shortly papillose.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum
Lip 4–6 mm long, cuneate or oblong, adnate to column at base, 3-lobed, the lobes similar to the petal lobes but slightly shorter.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur
Spur 3–4 mm long, slender, tapering, straight or slightly incurved.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers
Anther c. 2 mm tall.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.
    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2025. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0