PHYSURUS SECUNDUS 



Physurus secundus Ames Orchidace^, Fasc. ii.p. 260 (1908). 



Rhizome comparatively stout, creeping, rooting at intervals. 

 Leaves about five in number, basal, short-petioled, the basal part 

 of the petioles forming inflated sheaths which become scarious; 

 lamina ovate-lanceolate, subcordate, acute, 2-3 cm. long, 1.6 cm. 

 wide. Scape erect, smooth below or only sparsely hairy, pubescent 

 above, about 1 dm. long, with about three tubular sheathing 

 acuminate acute bracts. Raceme about 6 cm. long. Flowers se- 

 cund, about 16 in number. Floral bracts smooth, lanceolate, 

 acuminate, acute, about equalling the sessile ovary, 5-^ mm. long. 

 Ovaries ellipsoidal, smooth. Perianth white (?). Lateral sepals 

 lanceolate, acute, 1 -nerved, 4-5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide. Upper 

 sepal adherent to the petals, oblong-lanceolate, 1 -nerved, con- 

 cave, about 4 mm. long. Petals somewhat spathulate, 1 -nerved, 

 minutely denticulate on the free margin, 4-5 mm. long. Label- 

 lum produced at base into a blunt scrotiform spur; lamina oval, 

 3-nerved, entire, about 3 mm. long, somewhat contracted at the 

 blunt apex into a minutely fringed or denticulate plate; spur, 

 or sac, 3-3.5 mm. long, about 2 mm. in diameter, blunt and 

 grooved at the tip; within, near the tip are several minute, rather 

 fleshy, subclavate hairs, or elongated papillce. Column slender, 

 about 3.5 mm. long. 



Mexico: Sierra de Reyes, at 9000 ft, alt., State of Oaxaca, November 9, 

 1894, C. G. Pringle (no. 5837). Type, consisting of a single plant, in herb. 

 Gray. 



The description given above has been made anew from the 

 type. As more material comes to light variations from the 

 measurements noted in the description may be expected. The 

 species of the genus Physurus are often variable in the vegeta- 



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