Habenaria aethiopica S.Thomas & P.J.Cribb 1996 SECTION Multipartitae

Photo from © S.Thomas & P.J.Cribb 1996

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Common Name The Ethiopian Habenaria

Flower Size 1.12 to 1.64" [2.8 to 3.4 cm]

Found in the administrative regions of Gojam, Shewa, Kefa abd Wellaga on grassy slopes at elevations of 1450 to 2450 meters as a medium to large sized, cool to cold growing terrestrial orchid with a leafy stem carrying ovate-oblong, to ovate-lanceolate, decreasing in size upwards that blooms in the late spring and summer on an erect, 3.2 to 5.2" [8 to 13 cm] long, 6 to 13 flowered inflorescence with oblong to lanceolate, as long as the ovary floral bracts and carrying sweetly scented flowers.

"Similar to H tricruris but differs in the spur being 2.6 to 3.2" [6.5 to 6 cm] long, rather than 1 to 1.4" [2.5 to 3.5 cm] long in H tricruris." S.Thomas & P.J.Cribb 1996

Synonyms Alinorchis aethiopica (S.Thomas & P.J.Cribb) Szlach. 2001

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;

* Kew Bull. 51: 149 S.Thomas & P.J.Cribb 1996 Polish Bot. J. 46: 129 Szlachetko 2001 as Alinorchis aethiopica

Field Guide to the Ethiopian Orchids Demissew, Cribb and Rasmussen 2004 photo fide

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