Satyrium cristatum var. longilabiatum bracts

The pinkish bracts of Satyrium cristatum var. longilabiatum are reflexed down from the open flowers, while one is still doing its protective covering duty on a bud at the top in an erect position. The bracts display some greenish translucence upon some surface parts. They are here as pleasing in colour as the real flowers they serve. Bract tips attenuate somewhat and curve in their extremities, rather than merely taper.

A couple of slender, dark spurs are visible. The maroon perianth segment markings on the faintly green surfaces are somewhat tentative upon this plant; the marginal and central lines as well as some scattered spots quite varied (Pooley, 1998; Manning, 2009; www.africanorchids.dk).