384 , ORCHIDACE^. 



MICROSTYLIS. f.b.i. ii. 



Ground orchids with broad corrugated leaves in two 

 ranks and fitting over each other at the base, and termi- 

 nal spikes of brownish or purplish flowers. Lip erect 

 concave, embracing the column at the base : upper sepals 

 oblong recurved : lower one and the other two petals 

 narrow. Column very short, flanked on each side by a 

 wing : anthers erect, poUiniums four. 



Species about 50 to 70, in the northern half of the tropics. 



Microstylis rhccdii Wiglit ; F.B.I, v 690, II 18. 

 Stem stout, 3 to 6 inches, bulbous at the base. Leaves 

 3 to 5 by 1/4 to 2J/2 inches, five to seven-nerved at the 

 base, acute or acuminate : leaf-stalks sheathing at the 

 base. Raceme 2j^ to 3 inches, raised by as much above 

 the last leaf. Flowers fragrant, variable in colour and 

 size, sepals narrow 1/5 to 1/3 inch by 1/20 inch. Petals 

 1/4 to 1/40 inch. Lower lip rounded, broadly triangular 

 or kidney-shaped, slightly lobed or pectinate. Stylar 

 dolumn ^ inch. Capsules Yz io % inch. Wight Ic. 

 t, 902. 



Pulneys ; Bearshula near Kodaikanal, but not common at 



these levels. Much more so below. Fyson 83. Bourne 371, 

 2933. 2934- 



Gen, Dist. Western ghats, Deccan, Shevaroys, etc. 



Microstylis versicolor Wight ; Herb- Wight Prop. 178 ! ; 

 F.B.I. V 691, II 19- Green leaves usually two only ; but 

 smaller scarious ones sheathe the lower part of the stem 

 and the small falsebulb. Green leaves 2 to 3 by % 

 to \y\ inches, ovate acute, wrapped round the flowering 

 axis and each other at the base, and folded along the 

 five or more nerves. Flowering axis 2 to 8 inches naked, 

 bare below, above with J4 inch lanceolate, deflexed 

 bracts. Flower-stalks 3/16 to 1/4 inch, very slender, spur 

 as long, slender. Lip circular or kidney-shaped, deeply 



