Diaphananthe fragrantissima (Rchb. f.) Schltr.

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Diaphananthe fragrantissima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Diaphananthe fragrantissima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Diaphananthe fragrantissima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

Diaphananthe fragrantissima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Listrostachys fragrantissima Rchb. f.
Common names:
Frequency: Rare in Zimbabwe
Status: Native
Description:
Robust epiphytic herb with a pendent stem. Leaves pendent, often twisted at the base, linear-lanceolate, usually sickle-shaped, 10-45 cm long, thick and fleshy. Inflorescences 1-several pendent spikes, 20-60 cm long, arising below the leaves. Flowers borne in whorls of 2-4 at the nodes, greenish-yellow, creamy-yellow to almost white, with a rather musky scent. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, arching over the column; petals linear to oblanceolate; lateral sepals linear; lip broad and curving downwards, frilled on the sides, more or less 3-lobed at the apex; spur 6-12 mm, slightly swollen in the middle.
Notes: Very rare in Zimbabwe, recorded only from the Rusitu Valley.
Derivation of specific name: fragrantissima: most fragrant
Habitat: In high rainfall woodland and riverine forest.
Altitude range: (metres) Up to 750 m
Flowering time:May
Worldwide distribution: Cameroon, DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe distribution: E
Growth form(s): Epiphyte.
Endemic status:
Red data list status: Critically Endangered
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Tuesday 11 November 2008
Literature:

Ball, J.S. (1978). Southern African Epiphytic Orchids. Conservation Press, Johannesburg. Pages 106 - 107. (Includes a picture).

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20.

Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 128.

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 80.

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) Pages 417 - 418.

La Croix, I. et al. (1983). Malawi Orchids Volume 1 Epiphytic Orchids National Fauna Preservation Society of Malawi Pages 68 - 69. (Includes a picture).

La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 269. (Includes a picture).

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 95.

Morris, B. (1970). Epiphytic Orchids of Malawi The Society of Malawi Pages 90 - 91.

Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 118.

Stewart, J. & Campbell, B. (1996). Orchids of Kenya Timber Press Inc, Portland Oregon, USA ISBN0-88192-357-5 Page 42. (Includes a picture).

Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 186 - 188. (Includes a picture).


Other sources of information about Diaphananthe fragrantissima:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Malawi: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Mozambique: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Zambia: Diaphananthe fragrantissima

External websites:

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


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: Diaphananthe fragrantissima.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=118800, retrieved 19 March 2024

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