Eulophia longisepala sepals

The long, thin sepals that gave Eulophia longisepala its name are erect above the rest of the flower, like the prongs of a pitchfork. In picture they are pale green near their tips, suggesting translucence. Only slightly wider here than in their purplish necks lower down, they may have been of some use in covering the petals during the budding stage.

One of the earlier names of this plant was E. antennata. The sepals become from 17 mm to 46 mm long, varying much in length (Pooley, 1998; www.zimbabweflora.co.zw).