Satyrium robustum Schltr.

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

Morphology General Habit

A terrestrial herb 2.5–7 dm. high, glabrous except for the roots.

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Tubers small, ovoid or ellipsoid, 1–2 cm. long, 5–8 mm. in diameter, ± tomentose.

Morphology Roots

Roots in a tuft, numerous, flexuous, pubescent.

Morphology Stem

Stem erect, rather stout, terete, leafy along its length.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 7–11, mostly bunched towards the base of the stem; lowest one sometimes sheath-like, 4–6 above spreading or suberect, sometimes ± recurved, lanceolate to broadly ovate, acute, the largest 8–28 cm. long and 3–5.5 cm. broad, upper ones sheathing, often much smaller than the lower ones, lanceolate, acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence cylindrical, 5–24 cm. long, 3–4 cm. in diameter, densely 11- to many-flowered; bracts soon reflexed, lanceolate, acute, 1.3–3.2 cm. long, lower ones longer than the flowers.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers spreading or half-spreading, usually bright pink to crimson, sometimes paler pink; ovary with pedicel curved, ± 1 cm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Sepals and petals projecting forwards, united to one another and to the lip in their basal quarter or fifth only.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Intermediate sepal oblanceolate, obtuse, 8–12 mm. long, 2–3 mm. broad; laterals obliquely oblanceolate-oblong or elliptical-oblong, obtuse, equalling the intermediate but slightly broader.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals similar to the intermediate sepal; all tepals 2–3-veined.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip very convex, hooded, the extreme apex shortly recurved, 7–10 mm. long, the mouth 6–7 mm. broad, 2-spurred at base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Spur

Spurs slender, parallel to the ovary, 12–18 mm. long, ± 1.5 mm. in diameter at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column erect, enclosed by the lip, the slender stalk equalling or exceeding the fertile part in length, 6–8 mm. high; anther-loculi pendent, ellipsoid; stigma erect, semi-orbicular, 2.5–3 mm. broad, rostellum projecting downwards, 3-lobed, the side lobes short, acute, the middle lobe much longer, spoon-shaped from a narrower base.

Habitat

Swampy grassland or bogs, especially near streams; 1350–3300 m.

Distribution

not known elsewhere K3 K4 T2 T7 T8 U3