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BOTANICAL EXPLORATION IN VENEZUELA - I 169
This species is apparently allied to Pogonia paludosa Reichb. f.,
but is dissimilar in having branched stems, short floral bracts and
differently colored flowers with a dissimilar lip.
Pogonia triflora C. Schweinfurth, sp. nov.
Herba terrestris, gracilis. Caulis basi excepta glaber, parte inferiore
remote bivaginata, parte superiore remote bifoliata. Folia
parva, stricta, amplexicaulia; folium basale anguste ellipticum
et acutum; folium superius linear!- la nceola turn et acuminatum.
Racemus perlaxe triflorus cum brae te is floralibus conspicuis, strictis,
lanceolatis vel ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis. Flores parvi,
rosei. Sepalum dorsale fornicatum, expansum anguste oblongolanceolatum,
acutum. Sepala lateralia expansa similia. Petala
sepalis similia sed paulo breviora et latiora, cum marginibus superioribus
leviter et irregulariter denticulatis. Labellum expansum
anguste oblongo-ovatum, prope apicem trilobatum; lobi laterales
apice abrupte angulati; lobus medius triangulari-ovatus; discus
fascia mediana lata percursus, basi minute bicallosus. Columna
gracilis, perianthii segmentis distincte minor.
Plant terrestrial, slender. Stem glabrous except at the very base
which is apparently lanuginose, provided in the lower portion with
two remote ovate or ovate-oblong amplexicaul sheaths and above
with two remote leaves, about 19 cm. high up to the base of the
floriferous portion. Leaves two, appressed, amplexicaul, narrowly
elliptic or linear-lanceolate, 'acute or acuminate, the upper and
larger blade about 3.6 cm. long and 6 mm. wide. Raceme very loosely
3-flowered, with the rachis about 5 cm. long. Floral bracts conspicuous,
strict, lanceolate (lowermost) to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate,
amplexicaul, deeply concave, the lowermost about 3.2 cm.
long and 9 mm. wide. Flowers rather small, "rose-orchid", apparently
nodding in age. Segments membranaceous. Dorsal sepal
fornicate in natural position, when expanded narrowly oblong-lanceolate,
acute, about 2.4 cm. long and 5 mm. wide. Lateral sepals
closely similar. Petals similar to the sepals but slightly shorter and
broader, about 2.2 cm. long and 6 mm. wide, with the upper margins
lightly and irregularly denticulate. Lip deep rose, when expanded
oblong-ovate in outline, distinctly 3-lobed near the apex, about 2.25
cm. long and 9 mm. wide; lateral lobes with abruptly angulate obtuse,
spreading tips; mid-lobe small, triangular-ovate; disc traversed by a
broad median thickened band (with irregular margins) which extends
from the base about to the middle of the mid-lobe, minutely bicallose
at the base. Column, slender, slightly dilated upward, about 1.6 cm.
long (Fig. 26).
Type in herb. Chi. Nat. Hist. Mus., no. 1203772, southwest-facing
slopes between base of mountain at Quebrada Ka-hua-paru and
Glycon swamp, Mount Roraima, state of Bolivar, alt. 1220-1980 m.,
October 1, 1944, Julian A. Steyermark 59014.