Disperis pusilla

Summerhayes, V. B., 1968, Orchidaceae (Part 1) part., Flora of Tropical East Africa 1 (1) : 223

6. D. pusilla Verde ,

in K.B. 22: 94, fig. 1 (1968). Type: Zambia, Abercorn District, Kalambo R., 2-4 kin. above Sansia Falls, Richards 10373 (K, holo.!, EA, iso.!)

Herb, 2-5-3-S cm. tall, the stem densely covered with short papilla-like hairs, arising from a round or ellipsoid tuber 0-6-1-4 cm. long, 4-7-5 mm. wide. Leaf 1 (excluding 1-2 basal scale leaves), sessile, sheathing at the base, broadly ovate, 6-8 mm. long and wide, shortly acuminate, cordate above the sheath, densely papillate above and on margins. Flowers solitary, yellow, yellow-brown or reddish, sometimes tinged purple; bract leaf-like, lanceolate, 7-9 mm. long, 3-5 mm. wide, subacute, papillate-ciliate on the margins. Intermediate sepal linear-lanceolate, boat-shaped, 8 mm. long, 1-8 mm. wide, joined to the petals to form an elliptic inflexed open hood, the sepal itself forming a longitudinal sunken trough along the long axis; lateral sepals semicircular, 6 mm. long, 3-5 mm. wide, acute, free, bearing sacs

0-8 mm. long. Petals oblong-linear, falcate , 8 mm. long, 2-8 mm. wide. Lip with claw bent back on itself shortly above the point of adnation with the column then expanded into a minutely papillate triangular limb, 3-5 mm long, 2 mm. wide, produced apically into a narrow tip. Ovary hairy.

Kenya. Elgeyo District: Clierangani Hills, May 1936, Mainwaring!

Tanganyika. Mpanda District: Silkcub Highlands, Dec. 1956, Richards 7159!

Distr. K3; T4; Congo Republic, Zambia

Hab. Grassland, woodland banks, also in bogs; 1650-2400 m.