Mystacidium venosum Harv. ex Rolfe

Mystacidium venosum is pollinated by Hawkmoths. This orchid rewards its pollinators.

Trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival - Global

venosum: veined; the reference is unclear.

Short-stemmed epiphytic herb with numerous fairly stout, white-streaked roots. Leaves 2-4, elliptic to oblanceolate, up to 6.5 cm long, rather fleshy, unequally 2-lobed at the apex. Inflorescences up to c. 8 cm long, several flowered. Flowers white. Dorsal sepal erect, lanceolate, 5-8 mm long; lateral sepals spreading, more or less spathulate, 4-6 mm long. Petals triangular, 5-8 mm long. Lip lanceolate, entire, 4-6 mm long; spur 3-4.5 cm long, slender but widening at the mouth.

Local in Mozambique

Mozambique, Swaziland and Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa.