Rhipidoglossum kamerunense (Schltr.) Garay

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

Morphology General Habit

Robust epiphytic herb; stem short, 6–8 cm long; roots stout, 4–5 mm in diameter.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves several, pendent, twisted at the base to lie in one plane, 20–35 × 3–5.5 cm, oblanceolate, unequally 2-lobed at apex with one lobe almost absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 1–several, pendent, 10–24 cm long, fairly laxly 8–10-flowered. Peduncle 3.5–4.5 cm long, almost covered with loose, papery ovate bracts; bracts 10–15 × 10–15 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary 20–25 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts similar to those on the peduncle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pale green or creamy-yellow (pale orange in one description).Dorsal sepal 14.5–16 × 6–10.7 mm, ovate; lateral sepals 19.5–23 × 6–9.5 mm, obliquely lanceolate or ovate, obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 14.5–17 × 9–14 mm, broadly ovate to suborbicular, the margins slightly erose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 17–22 × 19–25 mm, flabellate, obscurely 3-lobed at the apex, apiculate, the margins erose, and with a tooth in the mouth of the spur; spur 12–25 mm long, incurved from a wide base, becoming slender, acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 4 mm long; stipites and viscidia 2; rostellum pendent, 3-lobed.

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

Morphology General Habit

A large pendent epiphyte with a short stout stem 6–8 cm. long, 1.1–1.8 cm. diameter.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 3–7, falcate, oblanceolate, unequally roundly bilobed at apex, 20–35 cm. long, 3–5.5 cm. wide, twisted at base to lie in one plane, articulated to a sheathing base 1–2 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences pendent, 1–several, 10–12 cm. long, laxly 8–10-flowered; peduncle 3.5–4.5 cm. long, almost covered by loose bracts; bracts large, papery, broadly ovate, 10–15 mm. long and wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pale translucent green; pedicel and ovary 2–2.4 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal ovate, shortly apiculate or obtuse, 15–16 mm. long, 8.5–10.7 mm. wide; lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate, obtuse, 20–23 mm. long, 8–9.5 mm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals subcircular, obtuse, 15–17 mm. long, 12–14 mm. wide, with strongly erose-lacerate margins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip flabellate, distantly 3-lobed, 18–20 mm. long, 22–24 mm. wide, erose on apical margin, with a tooth in the mouth of the spur; side lobes obliquely oblong; mid-lobe shortly triangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spur incurved-pendent, 12–14 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 4 mm. long; stipites 2; viscidia 2; rostellum pendent, 3-lobed.

Figures

Fig. 125.

Habitat

Rain-forest; ± 1000 m.

Distribution

U2