The genus Disperis (Orchidaceae) in Madagascar, the Comores, the Mascarenes and the Seychelles Author Croix, Isobyl la Author Bosser, Jean Author Cribb, Phillip J. text Adansonia 2002 3 24 1 55 87 journal article http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5180356 1639-4798 5180356 3. Disperis similis Schltr. Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 111 (1925); H . Perrier in Humbert H. (ed.), Fl. Madag. , 49 e fam., Orchidées 1: 181 (1939) ; Du Puy et al., Orch. Madag. : 136 (1999) . — Type : Perrier de la Bâthie 14345 , Madagascar , massif of Andringitra (lecto-, P !, chosen here, photo K !) . Slender terrestrial herb 8-27 cm high. Leaves two, opposite or subopposite, sessile, borne at about the middle or below the middle of the stem, 1.5-4.5 × 0.7-2.2 cm , ovate or lanceolateovate, acute, rounded at base. Inflorescence 1-4- flowered; bracts 4-10 × 2-8 mm , ovate, distinctly shorter than the ovary. Flowers pink; pedicel and ovary 9-10 mm long. Dorsal sepal 4-5 × 0.8 mm , narrowly linear; lateral sepals 4-6 × 3 mm , free more or less to the base, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, each with a sac-like spur around the middle. Petals hyaline, adnate to the dorsal sepal. Lip linear where it is joined to the column, then somewhat dilated, with a 3-lobed appendage at the apex, the 2 side lobes diverging and curved, pubescent, the mid-lobe triangular, shorter than the side lobes, glabrous, obtuse at the apex. Rostellum arms c. 2 mm long. — Fig. 2. DISTRIBUTION. — Madagascar ; endemic. HABITAT. — In humus in mossy forest; 1500- 2000 m. MATERIAL STUDIED. — MADAGASCAR : Bosser 19029 , S of Ambositra , P . K . 300, 1500 m , Jan. 1963 ( P !); Perrier de la Bâthie 14345 , massif of Andringitra, c. 1800 m , Jan. 1922 ( P !); Perrier de la Bâthie 14589 , massif of Andringitra, 1800 m , Feb. 1922 ( P !); Perrier de la Bâthie 15704 , Mt. Tsaratanana , 2000 m , Jan. 1923 ( P !); Perrier de la Bâthie 16873, Manerinerina , on the Tampoketsa between the Ikopa and the Betsiboka , Dec. 1924 ( P !) . This species approaches D. oppositifolia but it is distinguished by its flower which is smaller and has lateral sepals that are not strongly united at the base, and a trilobed appendage to the lip that has pubescent lateral lobes shorter than the glabrous midlobe.