A terrestrial herb 1.5–2.5 dm. high.. Tubers ellipsoid or ovoid, ± 2 cm. long.. Stem slender, with a single basal leaf and several sheaths along its length.. Basal leaf adpressed to the ground, ovate, heart-shaped, obtuse or shortly acuminate; sheathing leaves 4–5, the lowest larger and looser than the others, acute, others lanceolate, acuminate.. Inflorescence short, up to 12-flowered; bracts erect at first, deflexed later, ovate-lanceolate, equalling or longer than the flowers.. Flowers pale red with a rose-coloured throat.. Sepals ligulate, obtuse, the intermediate shorter than the laterals, 3–4 mm. long, obtuse.. Petals linear, narrower than the sepals but ± the same length; all tepals free to the base.. Lip helmet-shaped, compressed, with a short reflexed apex, 2-spurred at base.. Spurs gradually tapering, slender, 1 cm. long.. Stigma flat, rostellum flat, 2-partite, the lobes almost quadrate with 2 apicula.
Home