Home | > | List of families | > | Orchidaceae | > | Habenaria | > | amoena |
Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Occasional |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Terrestrial herb, up to 55 cm. Leaves along the stem narrowly oblanceolate, the lowest leaves normally about 8 cm above ground, the largest leaves in the middle. Inflorescence laxly many-flowered. Flowers yellow-green. Dorsal sepal forming a hood over the column. Petals 2-lobed; upper lobes adnate with the dorsal sepal; lower lobes longer, linear, spreading and curving upwards. Lip 3-lobed; outer lobes similar in shape and size to lower petal lobes; mid-lobe slightly broader, often curving backwards. Spur 17-22 mm, slender, parallel to the ovary. |
Notes: | This species is very similar to Habenaria malacophylla, which differs in having broader leaves with the lowest leaves higher up the stem; flowers being more green and white; a shorter spur, which is inflated in the middle; and its occurrence in deeply shaded forest habitats. |
Derivation of specific name: | amoena: beautiful, showy, pleasing |
Habitat: | On rocky hillsides in Brachystegia woodland, where it may may form small colonies. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 800 - 1450 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | |
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 |
Literature: |
Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 63. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 82. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 78 - 80. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 61. (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 96. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 121. Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Pages 136 - 137. Summerhayes, V.S. (1956). African orchids XXIII Kew Bulletin 11(2) Pages 218 - 219. Protologue Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 45 - 46. (Includes a picture). |
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