Polystachya melanantha Schltr. 1899 SECTION Humiles Photo by Tudor Harwood © and JSTOR Plant Sciences Website

Common Name The Black ? Polystachya

Flower Size

Found in Tanzania and Mozambique in lowland forests at elevations around 1300 to 2400 meters as a mini-miniature sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte with a creeping rhizome giving rise to more or less prostrate, apex upturned, conical above pseudobulbs with .4" [1 cm] between each and carrying 2, apical, ligulate, linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic,somewhat fleshy leaves that blooms in the fall on an erect, sparsely pubescent, 1 to 2 flowered inflorescence with ovate, acute floral bracts.

Synonyms Polystachya conocharis Kraenzl. ex Engl. 1908; Polystachya ionocharis Kraenzl. 1900; Polystachya uniflora De Wild. 1904

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 2 Cribb 1984; Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 Orchidaceae Part 1 Pope 1998

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