Satyrium parviflorum

This flower spike of Satyrium parviflorum indicates why the specific name of parviflorum (meaning small flower in Latin), has been chosen. The slightly rough-surfaced, olive green lip over the flower is hooded. This hood has a small opening through which pollinators enter.

Two notable spurs are grown at the back of the lip. The spurs that taper towards their tips and curve downwards, may become 1,5 cm long, about the same length as the flower’s ovary. The other tepals of the flower are even smaller and paler in colour. The triangular green bracts below each flower are deflexed, their acute tips pointed down.

The small flowers are fairly inconspicuous, not quite living up to the illustrious orchid name. There is sometimes a purple or yellower tinge to the flowers. Blooming happens in late spring and summer (Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; www.pacificbulbsociety.org).