Habenaria zambesina
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Dambo/Grassland
Chakwenga Headwaters
May 2017
Photo: Nick Wightman
Dambo/Grassland
Chakwenga Headwaters
May 2017
Photo: Nick Wightman
Dambo/Grassland
Chakwenga Headwaters
May 2017
Photo: Nick Wightman
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Habenaria myriantha Kraenzl. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | |
| Description: |
Terrestrial herb up to 1 m tall; roots several, fleshy, up to 12 x 1 cm, cylindrical, sometimes branched; leaves 8-9, spaced along the stem, lowest 2-3 loosely sheathing, the remainder up to 22 x 5 cm, ovate, acute, slightly clasping stem, decreasing in size towards stem apex; inflorescence 11-25 x 4.5-25 cm, densely many flowered, bracts 17-22 mm long, lanceolate, acute; ovary and pedicel 18-20 mm long; flowers white, sepals turning green towards apex, dorsal sepal 5-6 x 3-5 mm, ovate, reflexed, lateral sepals 6-10 x 3-4 mm, ovate, deflexed or spreading, twisted; petals 5-10 x 3-4 mm, ovate, acute, entire, pointing forwards and more or less forming a hood; lip 8-13 x 1.5-2.5 mm, ligulate entire; spur (1.5)5.5-9 cm long, slender, pendent; anther c. 2mm tall, canals very short; stigmatic arms 2-2.5 mm long, clavate, usually joined near tip. |
| Type location: |
Mozambique |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | Dec - Feb |
| Worldwide distribution: | Throughout most of tropical Africa |
| Growth form(s): | Terrestrial. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 329. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 129. Darbyshire, I., Vollesen, K. & Kelbessa, E. (2010). Acanthaceae (Part 2) Flora of Tropical East Africa Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Page 122. Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 66. Geerinck, D. (1984). Orchidaceae (premiere partie) Flore d'Afrique Centrale (Zaire - Rwanda - Burundi) Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Bruxelles Pages 94 - 95. Geerinck, D. (1992). Orchidaceae (seconde partie) Flore d'Afrique Centrale Jardin botanique national de Belgique Page 731. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 181. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 83. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Page 69. La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 57. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I.F. & La Croix T.M. (1983). Orchids of Bvumbwe The Society of Malawi Journal 36(2) Page 17. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 96. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 176. Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1976). A Provisional Checklist of the Orchidaceae of Mozambique South African Journal of Botany 42(4) Page 390. Stewart, J. & Campbell, B. (1996). Orchids of Kenya Timber Press Inc, Portland Oregon, USA ISBN0-88192-357-5 Page 143. Vollesen, K. & Merrett, L. (2019). Field Guide to the (wetter) Zambian Miombo Woodland. Part 1 (Ferns & Monocots) GVPedia Communications Page 140. (Includes a picture). Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 42 - 43. (Includes a picture). |
Other sources of information about Habenaria zambesina:
Our websites:
Flora of the DRC: Habenaria zambesinaFlora of Malawi: Habenaria zambesina
Flora of Mozambique: Habenaria zambesina
Flora of Zambia: Habenaria zambesina
Flora of Zimbabwe: Habenaria zambesina
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Habenaria zambesinaAfrican Plant Database: Habenaria zambesina
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Habenaria zambesina
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Habenaria zambesina
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Habenaria zambesina
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Habenaria zambesina
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Habenaria zambesina
JSTOR Plant Science: Habenaria zambesina
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Habenaria zambesina
Plants of the World Online: Habenaria zambesina
Tropicos: Habenaria zambesina
Wikipedia: Habenaria zambesina