Habenaria subarmata Rchb.f.

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

Morphology General Habit

Robust terrestrial herb 30–60 cm tall; tubers 1–2 cm long, ± globose, pubescent.

Morphology Stem

Stem erect, with 2 basal leaves and 6–10 bract-like leaves along its length.

Morphology Leaves

Basal leaves appressed to the ground, 7.5–16 × 7–22 cm,reniform to suborbicular, apiculate to slightly emarginate, pale green, rather fleshy; bract-like leaves up to 5 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 10–27 × 5–9 cm, densely 12- to many-flowered; bracts 10–20 mm long, lanceolate, acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers white, semi-erect or spreading.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel 10 mm long, ovary 25–30 cm long with 6 lightly toothed keels.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal erect, 7.5–11 × 4–6 mm, ovate, convex; lateral sepals reflexed, 10–12 × 4–6 mm, very obliquely ovate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 2-lobed ± to base; posterior lobe 7.5–9.5 × c. 1 mm, linear, lying beside dorsal sepal; anterior lobe 25–40 mm long, filiform, spreading or deflexed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 3-lobed to 1–2 mm from base; mid-lobe 12–18 × 1 mm, linear, deflexed; side lobes 25–50 mm long, filiform, ± deflexed; spur 5–7.5 cm long, slender, incurved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther 4.5–7.5 mm high, erect, apiculate; canals upcurved, 3–4 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmatic arms 5–7 mm long, porrect, club-shaped, truncate at apex.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb 40–65 cm tall; stem erect with 2 large leaves at the base and several much smaller along the stem

Morphology Leaves

Basal leaves opposite, broadly ovate to subcircular, appressed to the ground, 7–19 cm long and broad

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence rather closely many-flowered

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers spreading outwards, white, faintly fragrant; pedicel with ovary often slightly curved, 3–4 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal erect, hooded, 7.5–11 x 6–7.5 mm; laterals spreading, 9–12 x 4.5–6 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Lip 3-lobed from a short undivided base; midlobe 11–16.5 mm long; side lobes 25–50 mm long; spur slender, hanging, 5–7.5 cm long Lateral petals 2-lobed nearly to the base; upper lobe 7.5–11 mm long; lower lobe 25–40 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther erect, 4.5–7.5 mm high; stigmatic processes 5–7 mm long.

Distribution

S3 (“Dallei”)

Ecology

Altitude c. 50 m.

Note

First record for Somalia.