Herminium josephi - Large-Flower Herminium

Large-Flower Herminium is a terrestrial orchid 11-27 cm tall. Tubers are ovoid or ellipsoid, 10-20 x 7-10 mm. Stem has 2 or 3 tubular sheaths at base, 2-leaved. Leaves are basal, almost opposite, linear-oblong to oblong-elliptic, 3.5-10 x 0.5-1.5 cm, tip pointed. Inflorescence is 9-24 cm long, peduncle cylindric. Rachis is 3.5-8.5 cm, densely several to many flowered; floral bracts ovate-lanceshaped to lanceshaped, about 3 mm, shorter than ovary, tip pointed. Flowers are fragrant, erect or horizontal, green to yellowish green; ovary straight, 7-8 mm including stalk. Dorsal sepal is nearly erect, broadly ovate, about 3 x 2 mm, 1-veined, apex obtuse; lateral sepals weakly spreading, ovate-lanceolate, slightly oblique, 3-4.5 x about ca. 1.5 mm, 1-veined, apex obtuse. Petals are ovate-lanceolate, oblique, 3-3.5 x about 1.2 mm, somewhat fleshy, 1-veined, apex subobtuse. Lip is pendulous, broadly ovate, 4-5 x 3-3.5 mm, somewhat fleshy, base shallowly concave, entire; disk with 2 short ridges below middle. Large-Flower Herminium was thought to be an east Himalayan plant, but now it is known to be found from Kashmir to Sikkim. Flowering: July-August.