Pterygodium cooperi inflorescence

The inflorescence of Pterygodium cooperi is a dense spike up to 8 cm long on a stout stem. From five to many flowers are produced.

The plant grows two to four basal leaves, stem sheathing and ovate to oblong in shape, tapering to pointed tips. Leaves become up to 13 cm long. There are also smaller stem leaves.

The Pterygodium genus comprises twenty species, all endemic to southern Africa; fifteen of them grow in the Cape Floristic Region. Pterygodiums have no spurs (Pooley, 1998; www.eurekalert.org; www.africanorchids.dk).