Nervilia crociformis lip fingers

The lip of the Nervilia crociformis flower has thin, ragged-looking, fleshy protrusions or surface papillae, as well as a marginal fringe around it.

The other five long, thin segments of the flower are the three spreading sepals and the two (slightly smaller) lateral petals, angled sideways lower than the lip. These segments are pale purplish beige in the photo, curving variously.

The floral bract of the solitary flower is only about 1 mm long. The scape lengthens to 20 cm when fruiting.

The flower of N. crociformis closes forever within only about eight hours from opening. If pollinated promptly upon opening, they do so even faster (Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Wikipedia; www.africanorchids.dk).