Orchidaceae - Orchidoideae - Orchideae - Holothrix Rich. ex Lindl.
Description:
Terrestrial or sometimes lithophytic herbs, with root tubers
Leaves 2 (rarely 1), flat on ground, glabrous or hairy, sometimes withering before flowering, broadly ovate to orbicular-reniform
Inflorescence a usually secund, hairy raceme; flowers white, yellowish or green; normally resupinate; in H. burchellii (Lindl.) Rchb.f. flowers dimorphic
Sepals subequal, connivent
Petals longer than sepals, entire or variously lobed
Lip spurred, divided into 3-many lobes
Gynostemium short; anther thecae parallel and adjacent, anther canals absent; pollinia 2, sectile, with very short caudicles
Capsule ovoid or oblong
Nomenclature:
Holothrix Rich. ex Lindl.
Lindley: 283 (1835) name conserved
Rolfe: 96 (1912)
Phillips: 230 (1951)
Schelpe: 66 (1966)
Stewart et al.: 58 (1982)
Linder & Kurzweil: 96 (1999)
Distribution & Notes:
Global: Species ± 55, Arabian Peninsula, Africa
Southern Africa: Species 23, widespread, often under arid conditions
References:
LINDER, H.P. & KURZWEIL, H. 1999. Orchids of southern Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam
LINDLEY, J. 1830-1840. The genera and species of Orchidaceous plants. Ridgways, London
PHILLIPS, E.P. 1951. The genera of South African flowering plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 25
ROLFE, R.A. 1912. Order CXXXI. Orchideae. Flora capensis 5,3
SCHELPE, E.A. 1966. An introduction to the South African Orchids. Purnell & Sons, Cape Town, Johannesburg
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