Satyrium mirum Summerh. 1966 sect. Satyrium
TYPE Drawing by © Summerhayes
Drawing by © John Ball and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website
LATE 
EARLY
Common Name The Extrodinary Satyrium
Flower Size 1.2" [3 cm]
Found in Zimbabwe in open montane grasslands at elevations of 1800 to 1880 meters as a medium sized, cold growing terrestrial with a robust erect stem with 8 to 10 imbricate, white sheaths and carrying 2, basal, opposite, adpressed to the ground, ovate to orbicular, apiculate, rather fleshy leaves that blooms in the late summer and early fall on an erect, terminal, 16 to 20" [40 to 50 cm] long, rachis slightly fractiflex, 2 to 3.2" [5 to 8 cm] long, fairly laxly, 3 to 7 flowered inflorescence with erect, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, acute, as long gas the ovary floral bracts and carrying suberect to erect-patent flowers.
"This very attractive species is clearly related to S. fimbriatum which, however, has smaller pink flowers and a much shorter spur. Both are remarkable for the lacerate frilly petals and apical appendix of the labellum, features not recorded from other African species of sect. Satyrium. So far S. mirum has been found only in a single locality, but it should be looked for on high altitude grasslands elsewhere in south-eastern Africa." Summerhayes 1966
Synonyms
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ;
* Kew Bull. 20: 170 Summerhayes 1966
* Kew Bull. 20: 171 Summerhayes 1966 Drwaing fide
Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 OrchidaceaePart 1 Pope 1995 drawing fide;
Genera Orchidacearum Vol 2 Part One Pridgeon, Cribb, Chase and Rasmussen 2001 photo fide;
Terrestrial African Orchids a Select Review Ball 2009 drawing fide
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