Polystachya pubescens (Lindl.) Rchb. f.

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Polystachya pubescens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Polystachya pubescens

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

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Synonyms: Polystachya lindleyana Harv.
Common names:
Frequency: Rare or probably extinct
Status: Native
Description:
Epiphytic or lithophytic herb, often forming clumps. Pseudobulbs 2-3 cm long, pear-shaped with 2 or 3 leaves. Inflorescence up to 20-flowered. Flowers golden-yellow with longitudinal purple-brown strips on the lateral sepals and lip.
Notes: This is essentially a South African species, which is known from a few old records from the Honde Valley in Eastern Zimbabwe. Various recent searches have not refound any specimens and the species is listed as probably extinct in Zimbabwe. Note that the one specimen cited in FZ 11(2), p. 356, namely Sparrow in GHZ 215168 from near Troutbeck Hotel and therefore at an altitude probably greater than 2000 m, is a record of a cultivated plant.
Derivation of specific name: pubescens: pubescent, with soft short hairs
Habitat: Woodland and forest
Altitude range: (metres) 750 m (approx)
Flowering time:Oct - Dec
Worldwide distribution: South Africa, Eswatini and Eastern Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe distribution: E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status: Extinct?
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Friday 19 May 2006
Literature:

Ball, J.S. (1978). Southern African Epiphytic Orchids. Conservation Press, Johannesburg. Pages 200 - 201. (Includes a picture).

Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 167.

Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 85.

Kimberley, M.J. (2003). A List of Epiphytic Orchids of Zimbabwe Excelsa 20 Page 50.

La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1998). Orchidaceae (Part 2) Flora Zambesiaca 11(2) Page 356.

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.


Other sources of information about Polystachya pubescens:

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Polystachya pubescens
African Plant Database: Polystachya pubescens
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Polystachya pubescens
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Polystachya pubescens
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Polystachya pubescens
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Polystachya pubescens
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Polystachya pubescens
JSTOR Plant Science: Polystachya pubescens
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Polystachya pubescens
Plants of the World Online: Polystachya pubescens
Tropicos: Polystachya pubescens
Wikipedia: Polystachya pubescens


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Polystachya pubescens.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=118420, retrieved 19 March 2024

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