Benthamia calceolata H.Perrier 1934

Drawing by © Perrier

Common Name The Shoe-Shaped Lip Benthamia [#6 in the drawing]

Flower Size .12" [3 mm]

Found in northeastern and southeastern Madagascar as a medium sized terrestrial with 5 to 8 elongated, cylindrical or fusiform tubers giving rise to a short rhizome with 5 buds at the apex, 3 of these form leaves and the other two form floral buds, foliage buds acaulis and each bearing a single oblong-lanceolate, attenuate acute at both ends leaves that blooms on an erect, without develope dleaves, carrying 6 to 8 cataphyls becoming bracts above, 12 to 24" [30 to 60 cm] long, thin, loose, rachis narrow to 6.8" [17 cm] long, many flowered inflorescence

Synonyms Platanthera madagascariensis Schltr. 1916

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Flora of madagascar Perrier 1939/81 drawing fide;

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