Satyrium monadenum Schltr.

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

Morphology General Habit

Terrestrial herb 30–60 cm, high; tubers 1.5–2 × 1–2 cm, globose to ovoid, tomentose.

Morphology General Shoots

Sterile shoot with 3(4) leaves, at various stages of development at flowering time, the lowest 2 sheath-like, the terminal one c. 5 cm long, lanceolate, acute.

Sterile

Sterile shoot with 3(4) leaves, at various stages of development at flowering time, the lowest 2 sheath-like, the terminal one c. 5 cm long, lanceolate, acute.

Morphology Stem

Flowering stem purplish in upper half with 6–7 loosely sheathing, imbricate leaves up to 7 cm long.

Fertile

Flowering stem purplish in upper half with 6–7 loosely sheathing, imbricate leaves up to 7 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 9–15 × 3 cm, densely many-flowered.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers rich carmine-red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Ovary and pedicel 10–12 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts to 25 mm long at base of inflorescence, reflexed, tinged with red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Sepals and petals spreading and projecting forwards, joined to each other and lip for about a third of their length.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Median sepal 12–14 × 2–2.5 mm, narrowly oblong, rounded; lateral sepals of similar length but broader and oblique.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals similar to median sepal.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 10–12 mm long, 13–16 mm wide when spread out, very convex and hooded with a wide mouth, the apex slightly reflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spurs 12–15 mm long, slender, parallel to ovary.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column 7–8 mm long, the stalk slender, curved; stigma 2 × 3 mm; rostellum shortly 3-lobed, the mid-lobe tooth-like and shorter than side lobes; viscidium single, constricted in middle.

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

Morphology General Habit

A terrestrial herb 2–6 dm. high, glabrous except for the roots.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Tubers globose to ovoid, 1.5–2 cm. long, 1–2 cm. in diameter, ± tomentose.

Morphology Roots

Roots slender, flexuous, pubescent.

Morphology Stem

Flowering stem erect, rather slender to stout, with sheaths all along its length; sheaths (or sheathing leaves) 6–10, the upper ones overlapping, lanceolate, acute, up to 3–8 cm. long and 1–2.5 cm. broad; sterile stem much shorter with 2 sheathing leaves, the terminal leaf lanceolate, acute, 5 cm. long, 1.6 cm. broad.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence cylindrical, 5–14 cm. long, 2.5–3.5 cm. in diameter, rather densely 13- to many-flowered; bracts soon reflexed, lanceolate, acute, 1–2.5 cm. long, the lowest ones sometimes longer than the flowers.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers curving outwards until nearly horizontal, pink to scarlet; pedicel with ovary ± curved, scarcely 1 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Sepals and petals decurved, united to one another and to the lip in their basal third.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Intermediate sepal narrowly elliptical-oblong, rounded, 12–13 mm. long, 2–2.5 mm. broad; laterals obliquely oblong-elliptical, obtuse, ± as long as intermediate, 3–4 mm. broad.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals obliquely oblanceolate or subspathulate, subacute or obtuse, equalling the intermediate sepal, 2.5 mm. broad; all tepals 3-veined.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip almost horizontal, very convex and hooded with a short acute turned-up apex, 10–12 mm. long, 13–17 mm. broad when spread out.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spurs slender, parallel with the ovary, 11–12 mm. long, ± 1.5 mm. in diameter at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column enclosed in the lip, 7–8 mm. long, the stalk slender, curved, equalling the fertile part; anther-loculi pendent, long-ellipsoid; stigma erect, broadly semi-orbicular, 3mm. broad, 2mm. high, rostellum very shortly 3-toothed, the middle lobe broadly triangular, viscidium single, very broad, slightly constricted in the middle.

Habitat

Upland grassland, often with perennial herbs; 1950–2400 m.

Distribution

T7

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103430187/103430469

Conservation

DD - data deficient