SOUTH AFRICAN ORCHIDS 
By H. M. L. BOLUS. 
Holothrix pilosa, Reichenbach fil., Otia Bot. Hamb. n, 119. Erecta, in 
genere robusta, omnino (fioribus glabris exceptis) ± dense pilosa, pilis sat 
longis, patentibus vel deflexis, 30 — 45 cm. alta; tuberus ad 4 cm. longus, 
2-5 cm. diam. ; folium unicum evolutum, ad terrain adpressum, per anthesin 
marcescens, reniforme, ca. 5-5 cm. latum; spica 16 — 20 cm. longa, sat dense 
multiflora, fioribus adscendentibus viridibus; bracteae fere erectae, herbaceae 
ovato-lanceolatae, longe acuminatae, ciliatae, 1 — 0-6 cm. longae; sepala 
lateralia oblique ovata, acuta vel acuminata, basi saccata, 6 mm. longa, 
sepalum impar ovato-lanceolatum, lateralibus parum brevius; petala linearia, 
ad apicem leviter angustata, obtusa, 1-1 cm. longa; labellum obovato-oblongum 
vel subflabellatum, 5 — 7-lobum, lobo medio longissimo, parti tertiae labelli 
aequilongo vel breviore, lobis lateralibus sensim brevioribus, calcare cylindrico, 
leviter recurvato, 2 mm. longo; antbera oblonga, obtusa. Bolus in Journ. 
Linn. Soc. xxv, 189; Durand and Schinz, Conspect. FI. Afr. v, 71; Schlecbter 
in Oest. Bot. Zeitschr. 1898, 442; Kranzlin, Orch. Gen. et Sp. i, 576; Rolfe in 
Flor. Cap. v, § 3, 104. Saccidium jnlosum, Lindl., Gen. et Sp. Orcb. 301. 
Orchidea pilosa, Burch, ex Lindl. l.c. 
Cape Province: South-Western Region; Swellendam Div., on a dry bill 
near Breede River, in fruit, Jan. 26, 1815, Burchell, 7483. Riversdale Div., 
among stones and in pockets and crevices of rocks, Oude Tuin, near Albertinia, 
fl. Nov. — Dec. 1913, Mrs John Muir {Dr John Muir, No. 1225). 
Erect, robust in the genus, all parts, except for the glabrous flowers, more 
or less pilose with rather long, spreading or deflexed hairs, 30 — 45 cm. high; 
tuber up to 4 cm. long, 2-5 cm. diam.; one leaf developed, appressed to the 
ground, withered during the flowering-period, reniform, about 5-5 cm. broad; 
spike 16 — 20 cm. long, rather dense, flowers numerous ascending green; 
bracts almost erect herbaceous ovate-lanceolate long-acuminate ciliate, 
1 — 0-6 cm. long; lateral sepals obliquely ovate, acute or acuminate, pouched 
at base, 6 mm. long, the odd sepal ovate-lanceolate, a little shorter than the 
lateral ones; petals linear, slightly narrowed towards the apex, obtuse, LI cm. 
long; lip obovate-oblong or somewhat flabellate, 5 — 7-lobed, the middle lobe 
longest, about a third of the length of lip or a little shorter, the lateral lobes 
becoming gradually shorter, spur cylindrical, slightly recurved, 2 mm. long; 
anther oblong obtuse. 
The drawing was made from living specimens received from Dr J. Muir 
in December 1913. Burchell’s specimen in Herb. Kew is in the fruiting stage. 
