Disperis johnstonii Rolfe

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Near rim of Nhhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma

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Synonyms:	Disperis stolzii Schltr.
Common names:
Frequency:	Local
Status:	Native
Description:	Small terrestrial herb, up to 15 cm high, growing from ovoid to globose, hairy tubers, 7-15 mm long. Leaves 2-3, alternate, ovate, 2-3 cm long, clasping the stem at the base, dark green with whitish veining, purple beneath. Inflorescences 1-5-flowered. Dorsal sepal and petals yellow (sometimes pale purple in East Africa), forming an open hood; lateral sepals white or very pale mauve. Lip 4-6.5 mm long, claw bent back on itself near the base bearing a 2-lobed appendage with papillose lobes; claw ending in an ovate to amost round blade with a papillose protuberance in the centre.
Notes:	According to all available references this species has never been recorded from Mozambique before.
Derivation of specific name:	johnstonii: after Sir Henry (Harry) Hamilton Johnston (1858-1927), British administrator and explorer, who collected flora and fauna specimens in many parts of Afrca. His best known discovery likely is the okapi, which he first found and
Habitat:	In shade of dense stunted androstachys johnsonii bush on limestone. Elsewher also in Brachystegia woodland and forest patches, usually in shelter of rocks.
Altitude range:	160 - 1 m
Flowering time:	Mar-Jun
Worldwide distribution:	Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique distribution:	MS
Growth form(s):	Terrestrial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Saturday 25 May 2013
Literature:	Fibeck, W. & Dare, M. (1993). Terrestrial Orchids in Zimbabwe. Excelsa 16 Page 57. Grosvenor, R.K. (1976). A list of orchids indigenous in Rhodesia. Excelsa 6 Page 80. La Croix, I. & Cribb, P.J. (1995). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 11(1) Pages 230 - 232. (Includes a picture). La Croix, I. et al. (1991). Orchids of Malawi A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam Pages 156 - 157. (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. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 119. Summerhayes, V.S. (1968). Orchidaceae (Part 1) Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 219 - 220. (Includes a picture). Williamson, G. (1977). The Orchids of South Central Africa J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London. Pages 103 - 104. (Includes a picture).

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Flora of Malawi: Disperis johnstonii
Flora of Zambia: Disperis johnstonii
Flora of Zimbabwe: Disperis johnstonii

External websites:

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