Habenaria saprophytica Bosser & P.J.Cribb 1996 SECTION Seticauda

TYPE Drawing by © Bosser & Cribb 1996

Full shade Warm Winter

Common Name The Saprophytic Habenaria [refers to the Achlorophyllous white plant and white flowers]

Flower Size .4 to .48" [10 to 12 mm long]

Found in northern Madagascar in lower montane forests at elevations around 610 meters as a mini-miniature to small sized, warm growingachlorophyllous, terrestrial without leaves, the underground portion unknown but giving rise to an erect, white stem bearing white, sterile, sheaths each shorter than a node, in the lower portion of the stem that blooms on an erect, white,l racemose, to 6" [15 cm] long, laxly 3 to 14 flowered inflorescence with white, lanceolate, acumiante, more or less equalling the pedicellate ovary and carrying white flowers.

This specis could be confused with Epipogium roseum as they are both "ghost-like" in appearance but it has pendent flowers with an ovate, callose lip and a short spur which is much shorter than the labellum." Bosser & P.J.Cribb 1996

Synonyms Habenella saprophytica (Bosser & P.J.Cribb) Szlach. & Kras-Lap. 2006; Platantheroides saprophytica (Bosser & P.J.Cribb) Szlach. 2004

References > W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 18: 337 Bosser & P.J.Cribb 1996

Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 18: 336 Bosser & P.J.Cribb 1996 Drawing fide

Richardiana 4: 108 Szlach 2004 as Platantheroides saprophytica

Richardiana 6: 38 Szlach. & Kras-Lap 2006 as Habenella saprophytica

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