Eulophia hereroensis lip

The conspicuous lip of the Eulophia hereroensis flower has more to it than the other five components of the perianth (the erect sepals and the lateral petals positioned over it).

The lip has parallel eye-catching, lime-green ridges on its central lobe. The two lateral lip lobes rise near its base, flanking the column of the flower. The column is a complex structure where the anther and stigma both reside, here appearing whitish inside the flower mouth.

Below the lip, on its outside, there is the spur, a pouch protruding and curving forward in this case.

Flowering happens in spring, sometimes extending into summer (www.zimbabweflora.co.zw; http://wildorchids.co.za).