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Synonyms: |
Nervilia buchananii (Rolfe) Schltr. Pogonia buchananii Rolfe Pogonia shirensis Rolfe |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Erect terrestrial herb up to 45 cm tall. Leaf solitary, erect, appearing after the flowers are finished, ovate to almost round, up to 16 × 11 cm, truncate or slightly cordate at the base, obtuse to acute at the apex, green on both surfaces, pleated with 6-10 veins; petiole 5.5-17 cm long. Inflorescence (1)2-3-flowered. Petals and sepals similar, greenish-yellow with reddish veins and tinge, linear lanceolate, 25-45 mm long; petals slightly shorter than sepals. Lip 20-40 mm long, cream to pale yellow, with prominent purple-red veins, 3-lobed; mid-lobe vate, reflexed, with 2 parallel fleshy ridges; side lobes oblong, erect, enclosing the column. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | shirensis: of the Shire Highlands in Malawi, where the type specimen was collected. |
Habitat: | In Brachystegia woodland, riverine forest, grassland and pine plantations. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 480 - 1950 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Angola, DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,C,E |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Thursday 7 February 2019 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 331. Cribb, P.J. (1984). Orchidaceae (Part 2) Flora of Tropical East Africa Page 279. Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 68. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 84. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 266 - 268. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Pages 170 - 171. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I.F. & La Croix T.M. (1983). Orchids of Bvumbwe The Society of Malawi Journal 36(2) Page 17. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 97. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 123. Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 138. Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Page 143. |
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