!Ceratandra atrata (L.) T.Durand & Schinz 1894

Plant and Flowers in situ Photos by Cameron McMaster

Common Name The Black Ceratandra [refers to the plant and flower habit of turning black with age]

Flower Size .8" [2 cm]

Found only in southwestern and southern South Africa in marshes or rock flushes at elevations of sea-level to 1050 meters as a slender, to medium sized, cold growing terrestrial with numerous, linear leaves that blooms in the spring on an erect, terminal, to 6" [15 cm] long, lax to fairly dense, numerous flowered inflorescence carrying unpleasantly scented flowers

Synonyms Ceratandra auriculata Lindl. 1838; Ceratandra chloroleuca Eckl. ex F.A.Bauer 1837; Ceratandra ochroleuca G.Don 1839; *Ophrys atrata L. 1767; Pterygodium atratum (L.) Sw 1800

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Die Orchideen Schlechter 1915; Encyclopedia of Cultivated Orchids Hawkes 1965; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982 photo fide; Orchids of Southern Africa Linder & Kurzweil 1999 drawing/photo fide;

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