| Synonyms: |
Polystachya adansoniae Rchb. f. var. stuhlmannii (Kraenzl.) Geerinck |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Dwarf epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs oblong to conical, 10–15 mm high, ribbed, somewhat flattened bilaterally, 2-leaved. Leaves linear, 4–14 cm long, slightly 2-lobed at the apex. Inflorescence 2.5–5.5 cm tall, densely many-flowered. Flowers very small, greenish-yellow or whitish, tinged with purple, often not opening but apparently self fertilizing. Bracts 4–7 mm long. Dorsal sepal ovate, 1.6–2 mm long, acuminate; lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 2–3.5 mm long, acuminate. Petals narrowly oblong, 1.25 mm long. Lip 3-lobed in the basal half, 1.3–2.3 mm long, with a hairless callus at the junction of the lobes; mid-lobe ovate, c. 1 mm long; side lobes rounded, erect. |
| Type location: |
Syntypes from Tanzania and Uganda |
| Notes: | This species is very similar to Polystachya adansoniae and can be distinguished by smaller flowers and a hairless callus on the lip. |
| Derivation of specific name: | stuhlmannii: named after Franz Ernst Stuhlmann, one time Acting Governor of Tanganyika and an avid collector of plants. |
| Habitat: | Evergreen forest and high rainfall Brachystegia woodland |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 900 - 1550 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Gabon, DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
| FZ divisions: | S |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 45. Geerinck, D. (1992). Orchidaceae (seconde partie) Flore d'Afrique Centrale Jardin botanique national de Belgique Page 436. as Polystachya adansoniae var. stuhlmannii 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 336 - 338. La Croix, I. et al. (1983). Malawi Orchids Volume 1 Epiphytic Orchids National Fauna Preservation Society of Malawi Page 121. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 215. (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 124. |