Habenaria unguilabris B.R.Adams

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

Morphology General Habit

Terrestrial herb to 30 cm tall; tubers c. 2 cm long, ellipsoid.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 9–11, the lowermost 5–6 erect to spreading, 2.5–16.5 cm long and 4–8 mm wide, linear or linear-lanceolate, acute, conduplicate, keeled; upper leaves 17–55 mm long, appressed to stem.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence 8–11 × 5 cm, rather laxly 10–14-flowered; bracts 10–18 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers green, white in centre, erect to spreading.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel and Ovary

Pedicel and ovary 18–25 mm long, ± arched.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals reflexed; dorsal sepal 6 × 2.3 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, convex, somewhat rugose on outside; lateral sepals 9.3 × 6 mm, obliquely obovate, keeled, with a lateral apiculum.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 2-lobed almost to base; upper lobe erect, 6 × 0.7 mm, linear; lower lobe hinged at base, 12.5 × 2.8 mm, lanceolate-ligulate, somewhat falcate; both lobes minutely papillose towards base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip 3-lobed above a deeply channelled, elongate claw 10 mm long, geniculate at point of origin of spur; mid-lobe c. 10 × 1.2 mm, linear, curving up; side lobes 6–6.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide at base, lanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, incurved; spur arising 6 mm from base of lip, 12–13 mm long, slightly clavate, slightly twisted, curved back.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column c. 3 mm high; anther canals 4 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmas porrect, 4.5 mm long, the apices convex-capitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Rostellum

Rostellum mid-lobe triangular, acute, scarcely overtopping the anther; side lobes 5.5 mm long.