Diaphananthe fragrantissima (Rchb. f.) Schltr.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Ndundu Lodge, Vumba

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Synonyms:	Listrostachys fragrantissima Rchb. f.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Robust epiphytic herb with a pendent stem. Leaves pendent, often twisted at the base, linear-lanceolate, usually sickle-shaped, 10-45 cm long, thick and fleshy. Inflorescences 1-several pendent spikes, 20-60 cm long, arising below the leaves. Flowers borne in whorls of 2-4 at the nodes, greenish-yellow, creamy-yellow to almost white, with a rather musky scent. Dorsal sepal narrowly triangular, arching over the column; petals linear to oblanceolate; lateral sepals linear; lip broad and curving downwards, frilled on the sides, more or less 3-lobed at the apex; spur 6-12 mm, slightly swollen in the middle.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	fragrantissima: most fragrant
Habitat:	In high rainfall woodland and riverine forest.
Altitude range:	Up to 750 m
Flowering time:	May
Worldwide distribution:	Cameroon, DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Malawi distribution:	N,S
Growth form(s):	Epiphyte.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Sunday 13 September 2015
Literature:	Ball, J.S. (1978). Southern African Epiphytic Orchids. Conservation Press, Johannesburg. Pages 106 - 107. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 20. 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 128. Fischer, E., Killmann, D., Delepierre, G. & Lebel, J-P. (2010). The Orchids of Rwanda Koblenz Geographical Colloquia Series Biogeographical Monographs 2 Page 171. (Includes a picture). Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 167. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 80. Kimberley, M.J. (2003). A List of Epiphytic Orchids of Zimbabwe Excelsa 20 Page 50. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1998). Orchidaceae (Part 2) Flora Zambesiaca 11(2) Pages 417 - 418. La Croix, I. et al. (1983). Malawi Orchids Volume 1 Epiphytic Orchids National Fauna Preservation Society of Malawi Pages 68 - 69. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Page 269. (Includes a picture). 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 95. Morris, B. (1970). Epiphytic Orchids of Malawi The Society of Malawi Pages 90 - 91. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 118. Stewart, J. & Campbell, B. (1996). Orchids of Kenya Timber Press Inc, Portland Oregon, USA ISBN0-88192-357-5 Page 42. (Includes a picture). Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 186 - 188. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Diaphananthe fragrantissima:

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Flora of Burundi: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of the DRC: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Mozambique: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Rwanda: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Zambia: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Flora of Zimbabwe: Diaphananthe fragrantissima

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Diaphananthe fragrantissima
African Plant Database: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Diaphananthe fragrantissima
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Diaphananthe fragrantissima
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Diaphananthe fragrantissima
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iNaturalist: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Diaphananthe fragrantissima
JSTOR Plant Science: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Plants of the World Online: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Tropicos: Diaphananthe fragrantissima
Wikipedia: Diaphananthe fragrantissima