Habenaria rariflora A. Rich.
In Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 2, 15: 70 (1841)
Habenaria uniflora Dalzell in Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 344 (1851), nom. illeg.
Endemic to western ghats
Ecology: Lithophytic herb 20 to 25cm, growing in crevices of vertical wall of rocks of hills rarely terrestrial or epiphytic
Tubers 1 or two small, 10x 0.8mm, oblong roots arising from upper part of tuber
Leaves: radicle, clustered at the base, 14X3cm, ovate- laceolate or oblong- lanceolate, somewhat coriaceous
Inflorescence: 1 or 3 flowered, peduncle faintly or deeply ribbed, green,bracteate
Flowers: 2.5cm across, white pedicellate bracteate, pedicel with ovary 5 to 6cm
Bracts unequal lower bracts are larger ovate-lanceolate, acute, lower bracts 2.5x1cm
Sepals white, unequal, subacute, 3 to 5 nerved,
Dorsal sepal 10x8mm, white, broadly ovate, 5 nerved
Lateral sepal 9x 7mm, obliquely ovate, spreading
Petals white two partite. Upper segment 9x6mm obliquely triangular, subacute, 3 three nerved, Lower segment 10mm filiform
Labellum white 3 lobed lateral segment is longer than middle, mid lobe 15 x7mm linear sometimes dilated above middle Lateral lobe filiform 20mm
Spur 6 to 7 cm long curved yellowish green towards apex
Spur is longer than pedicel
Column 5x3,5mm yellowish white oblong
Anther cell short, rounded at the tip Pollinia segmented 2.5x1.5mm ovoid-oblong.
Caudicle 1.5mm slender curved Viscidium triangular
Staminode linear-oblong by the side of column
Stigmatic lobes clavate white somewhat larger Capsule 2-3cm ribbed & beaked
Flowering:July
Fruiting: September